•Gridlock on Lagos Ibadan Expressway
Nearly 24 hours after a petrol-laden tanker exploded along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, traffic has yet to ease, with scores of motorists and commuters stranded in what many now describe as a nightmare without end.
The yesterday incident, which occurred in front of the NASFAT Camp, caused a massive gridlock that has paralysed movement on the expressway, reports The PUNCH.
As of this morning, vehicles heading towards Ibadan remained at a complete standstill, while those coming into Lagos were being redirected to share two narrow lanes.
Despite early assurances from the Federal Road Safety Corps that clearance efforts were underway, the situation has barely improved.
Commuters told our correspondent that they had spent several hours covering short distances, while others said they wish they could abandon their vehicles altogether to continue their journeys on foot.
A commuter who left Arepo at 7:00 am said he was still not in Ibafo by 9:15 am, a stretch that usually takes five minutes.
Another road user, Mr. Dele Ayeni, who was driving his private vehicle to Ibadan, said he had been stuck for over three hours.
“We heard yesterday that the fire was brought under control. So why are we still here today? I think the authorities have abandoned us,” he said.
A commercial bus driver, Rafiu Alamu, who plies the Berger-Mowe axis daily, expressed frustration with the situation.
“This kind of suffering is too much. I entered this express since 6:30 am and it’s past 10 now. I haven’t even completed one trip. No official is here to direct traffic. Everyone is just fending for themselves.”
Passengers inside Alamu’s bus had also run out of patience.
Many stepped out to stretch their legs, fanning themselves with anything they could find.
A visibly pregnant woman sitting by the window leaned out for fresh air, muttering, “Only God will save us in this country.”
At various points along the expressway, hawkers who typically make brisk sales during heavy traffic expressed mixed feelings.
One hawker, a teenage boy selling sausage rolls popularly called gala, said he had made enough sales. “No be small money I don see since morning. I just pity people wey dey inside the traffic”
Social media users have also taken to various platforms to vent their frustration.
@Ay_bkini said, “It’s crazy that in 2025, a fire incident involving multiple trailers /cars on Lagos – Ibadan expressway which occurred yesterday is still causing traffic the next day. I had to turn back because we don’t even know when the road will be accessible. A work day lost because of incompetence”
@Ridwanullahii said, “We have a terrible emergency management in this country. Only Lagos State has the capacity to respond to emergency with immediate effect. Because how do you tell me a tanker fell since yesterday on Lagos-Ibadan expressway and it’s still causing traffic this morning. The irresponsibility is annoying.”
Some commuters also questioned the speed and effectiveness of the emergency response.
A passenger, Mr. Obinna Nwachukwu, said the government should have deployed heavy-duty equipment to quickly clear the wreckage.
“How can a country like Nigeria leave a major expressway like this blocked for almost 24 hours?” he asked.
In the original report yesterday, it was noted that the tanker, which was laden with petrol, had overturned before bursting into flames near the NASFAT Camp.
The explosion led to panic, with thick black smoke engulfing the air and vehicles getting trapped in a resulting gridlock stretching several kilometres.
Attempts by some motorists to escape the traffic by driving against traffic compounded the confusion.
Despite efforts by security operatives, including soldiers and FRSC officials, to restore order, the chaotic scene only worsened as night fell.
Speaking to our correspondent yesterday, the spokesperson for the Ogun FRSC, Florence Okpe, said a public advisory had been issued and personnel were on the ground. She confirmed that there were no casualties but that several vehicles were trapped due to the blocked lanes.
“We have mobilised the necessary groups to evacuate the affected vehicles,” she said.
However, commuters today questioned the effectiveness of that operation.
As at the time of filing this report, the road towards Ibadan remained impassable.
Others, stuck in the chaos, have taken to using the shoulders of the road and adjoining pedestrian paths to make progress.
The gridlock continues. And for thousands trapped on the expressway, the journey home, or out, is still far from over.
