Lagos, Ogun deploy traffic officers to tackle Lagos-Ibadan Expressway gridlock

The Lagos and Ogun State governments have reinforced traffic enforcement along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in response to prolonged congestion caused by a multiple-vehicle crash and subsequent rehabilitation work at the Kara Bridge. This traffic management effort aimed to alleviate the severe gridlock that stranded motorists and commuters for hours on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation reported that the stranded tanker had been cleared from the affected area. However, the situation worsened due to some motorists driving against traffic. The permanent secretary of the ministry, Olawale Musa, announced the deployment of additional traffic officers to manage traffic flow and improve movement.

The ministry continued to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including the Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands, the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, and LASTMA, to mitigate the congestion's impact. Musa emphasized that the ongoing repairs at the Kara Bridge were necessary for the expressway's long-term safety, functionality, and resilience.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, urged motorists to remain patient and follow traffic rules, suggesting alternative routes such as the Ikorodu Garage–Ogijo–Sagamu route or the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway to avoid the Kara Bridge corridor. Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, stated that the state had mobilized the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency to work with other agencies to clear obstructions and improve traffic flow.

He advised motorists to drive cautiously, avoid driving against traffic, and refrain from creating additional lanes, as these actions exacerbated congestion and hindered emergency services.