LAGOS, Nigeria (FN) — A police inspector and seven others were confirmed dead Thursday in a multiple-vehicle crash involving five articulated trucks on Kara Bridge, inward Mowe, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, authorities said.
The accident occurred around 5 a.m. and triggered a massive fire outbreak and traffic gridlock. One of the trucks reportedly plunged into the Kara River, while others collided and burst into flames, according to eyewitnesses and emergency officials.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police Olanrewaju Ishola confirmed the death of the officer, who was part of a police advance team deployed to assist at the scene. “It’s very unfortunate that we lost one of our police inspectors who came with our advance team to salvage the situation,” Ishola said during a visit to the crash site.
Tributes to the fallen officer have emerged from colleagues and senior officials. “He died in the line of duty, trying to protect others. His sacrifice will not be forgotten,” said a spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command. Flags at several police stations were lowered in his honor.
Emergency responders from the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and fire services battled the blaze and worked to recover victims. Eight casualties were recorded and rescue operations were ongoing.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the crash was caused by a trailer that suffered brake failure. Commissioner Ishola urged drivers of heavy-duty vehicles to prioritize maintenance and avoid reckless driving. “If they are not reckless in their driving habit, we won’t have this kind of accident,” he said.
Public reaction has been swift, with road safety advocates calling for stricter enforcement of vehicle inspections, speed regulations, and better signage. “This tragedy is a reminder that poor maintenance and negligence cost lives,” said Adetola Adebayo, a transport safety analyst.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has long been a hotspot for fatal crashes. In August 2025, five people were killed when a container-laden truck lost control near the same Kara Bridge. In July, a fuel tanker explosion claimed three lives and injured dozens. Earlier in April, a collision involving two trailers and a commercial bus left six dead and several critically injured. Many of these incidents have been linked to brake failure, speeding, and poor road conditions.
Authorities say efforts to remove the wreckage and restore traffic flow continued into the evening. The latest tragedy has renewed calls for urgent upgrades to Nigeria’s busiest highway and stricter regulation of commercial transport operations.
