Motorists and commuters were again stranded for hours on Monday in the gridlock recorded on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
PUNCH Metro gathered that both lanes of the expressway were affected by the traffic that started late on Sunday after a downpour was recorded in the area.
Eyewitnesses said the downpour, coupled with ongoing construction works and an early morning multiple accidents recorded at the Magboro end of the road worsened the traffic situation.
Many were feared injured in the crash that occurred opposite The PUNCH Place involving a truck and other vehicles.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the truck, usually used to convey cows, rammed into a vehicle from behind as the vehicle also rammed into other vehicles, leading to multiple crashes.
An official of the Federal Road Safety Corps, who spoke on condition of anonymity for not being authorised to speak, told PUNCH Metro that at least four injured persons were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
“Two children, one male and one female adult were involved,” he told one of our correspondents.
The spokesperson for the Ogun State sector of the FRSC, Florence Okpe, could not be immediately reached for comment.
The crash, however, led to gridlock on the Lagos-bound lane of the road.
PUNCH Metro reports that as of noon, the traffic on the Lagos-bound lane stretched from after the Long Bridge to the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry in the Magboro area.
Some commuters who were in a hurry to reach their destinations resorted to abandoning vehicles to join commercial motorcycles at Berger Bus Stop in Lagos.
A commuter, Sulaimon Jaiyeola, while lamenting the development, added that the situation was compounded by motorists who were driving against traffic.
“Relevant agencies should prosecute motorists driving against traffic. Government should also ensure that ongoing construction work on this road is completed without further delay,” Jaiyeola said.
A roadside trader, Bukola Adewuyi, told PUNCH Metro that since the gridlock on the road started, she had resorted to using commercial motorcycles more.
“I am always scared of this traffic. Whenever I am going to get goods at Mile 12, I take motorcycles and despite that, sometimes, motorcycles too are affected,” Adewuyi said.
A motorist, John Obayori, expressed frustration at the number of hours being wasted in the traffic.
