A horrific crash on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway claimed six lives Friday night. The Oyo State Fire Service confirmed the incident occurred at the Ibadan Toll Gate area.
Multiple vehicles collided in the accident. Gas tankers, articulated trucks, and two passenger cars were involved in the wreck.
A fire erupted immediately after impact. The blaze spread rapidly across the accident scene.
Eight other victims were rescued alive from the wreckage. Officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps took them for medical treatment.
Oyo Fire Service Chairman Moroof Akinwande disclosed details in a Saturday statement. He noted that the agency received a distress call at 9:29 p.m.
Friday from police officer Sola Rotimi.
Fire crews arrived to find vehicles already burning. According to Akinwande, his team moved quickly to contain the flames.
"The crew quickly swung into action, and the fire was restricted from causing further damage to other vehicles and nearby properties," he said.
Preliminary findings suggest brake failure triggered the collision. Akinwande urged drivers to maintain their vehicles properly.
He also called on motorists to carry functional fire extinguishers. Such devices could help manage emergencies before they spiral out of control, he noted.
The crash caused massive traffic congestion on the expressway. Commuters remained trapped for several hours stretching into Saturday morning.
Social media footage showed burnt tankers blocking the road. Charred vehicle remains and debris littered the expressway.
Comedian Woli Arole was stuck in the gridlock. He posted a video to Facebook describing the nightmare.
In the clip, Arole said travellers had been stranded for three to four hours. He warned people against attempting the route that day.
"People have been here for three to four hours. If you are planning to come to Ibadan today, just stay back," he said in the video.
Arole suggested an earlier vehicle fire worsened the situation. He called on road authorities to act fast and improve safety measures.
Long stretches of stationary vehicles filled the expressway. Trucks and cars sat motionless along the busy corridor.
