- Safiu Kehinde
Thousands of commuters have been left stranded along the Otedola Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway after a container-laden trailer overturned in the early hours of Wednesday.
The Mack trailer carrying two 20-foot containers reportedly broke down along the bridge.
Effort to tow it off the road by a private towing vehicle not just proved abortive but led to the traffic gridlock as the two containers fell off the truck during the recovery process.
Videos and pictures shared on X showed the two containers blocking the entire stretch of the road.
Also captured in one of the clips was a long stretch of vehicles held in standstill along the Otedola bridge.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on its official X handle, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) explained that the truck developed a battery and mechanical fault Otedola Bridge inward Secretariat.
While a high-capacity tow truck is already at the scene, LASTMA disclosed that a crane is also on the way to ensure the evacuation of the containers and the truck.
“A Mack truck conveying two 20ft containers developed a battery/mechanical fault Otedola Bridge inward Secretariat.
“During an attempted private recovery, the truck overturned, causing the containers to fall onto the roadway. A crane is on the way while a high-capacity tow truck is already on ground.
“LASTMA Rescue & Recovery Team also on ground at the scene for vehicle removal and traffic control, with personnel fully on ground.” The statement read.
LASTMA disclosed that the traffic backlog has extended beyond Kara Bridge.