Lagos-Ibadan Expressway nightmare: Motorists stranded 24 hours after tanker explosion

Scene of the accident

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 Wednesday incident, which occurred in front of the NASFAT Camp, caused a massive gridlock that has paralysed movement on the expressway.

As of Thursday 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 Punch 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. Punch