At least six people have lost their lives following a devastating multi-vehicle collision involving fuel tankers, articulated trucks, and private cars at the Ibadan Toll Gate section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The accident, which occurred on Friday night, sparked a fire outbreak and resulted in a massive traffic gridlock that left hundreds of motorists stranded for several hours on Saturday.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Moroof Akinwande, said emergency responders rescued eight victims from the wreckage and handed them over to officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for medical treatment.
According to Akinwande, the fire service received an emergency alert at about 9:29 p.m. from a police officer, Sola Rotimi, and immediately dispatched firefighters to the scene.
Upon arrival, emergency personnel discovered that six vehicles, including gas tankers, articulated trucks, and two cars, were involved in the crash, with parts of the accident scene already engulfed in flames.
He noted that firefighters acted swiftly to contain the blaze, preventing it from spreading to nearby vehicles and surrounding properties.
Preliminary findings suggest that brake failure may have been responsible for the fatal collision.
Akinwande advised motorists to regularly maintain their vehicles, drive cautiously on highways, and ensure they carry functional fire extinguishers to help manage emergencies before they escalate.
Videos shared on social media showed extensive traffic congestion as burnt tankers obstructed sections of the expressway. The footage also captured charred vehicle remains and burnt tyres scattered across the road.
Several stranded commuters expressed frustration over the prolonged delays, with some reporting that they had spent hours trapped in traffic.
Public figures, including comedian and pastor Bayegun Oluwatoyin, popularly known as Woli Arole, cautioned travellers against using the route, while gospel singer Damilare Ogundoyin, also known as Dare Justified, urged motorists travelling between Lagos and Ibadan to plan ahead and consider alternative routes.
The crash reportedly involved four tankers and two other vehicles, leading to a near-total blockage of traffic in both directions and causing severe disruption along one of Nigeria’s busiest highways.