Lagos-Ibadan gridlock: Counter-flow drivers worsened traffic crisis, says FRSC

By Emmanuel Daniji

Thousands of motorists and commuters caught in the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway gridlock have faced even longer delays after drivers who allegedly drove against the flow of traffic turned an already difficult situation into a wider traffic crisis.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the situation became particularly severe around Kara, OPIC and Fagbems after a container reportedly fell across the expressway near the ongoing construction area at Kara.

Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Kehinde Hamzat, said the fallen container initially disrupted traffic, but the actions of some motorists who resorted to counter-flow driving made it more difficult to restore normal movement.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Newstrack programme on Wednesday, Hamzat said FRSC officers immediately moved to the scene after the container fell.

According to him, some motorists, frustrated by the congestion, began driving against the normal direction of traffic.

The situation became particularly complicated around OPIC and Fagbems, where vehicles heading into Lagos were reportedly blocked by motorists attempting to move in the opposite direction.

Hamzat explained that some motorists who were already on the Long Bridge and heading towards Lagos were unaware of the obstruction ahead. Some reportedly made U-turns through Punch and began driving against traffic.

By the time the fallen container was removed, the counter-flowing vehicles had already created another major obstruction.

“So, by the time the container was lifted, the people who were supposed to be moving freely now had a confrontation with the people who had already been driving in a counter-flow order,” Hamzat said.

He said the resulting congestion spread across several sections of the Lagos and Ogun corridors.

The FRSC boss said the traffic was gradually moving, but at a very slow pace, as the congestion had spread into different parts of the expressway.

However, he said a joint response had been put in place by the authorities in Lagos and Ogun states.

A meeting involving the Controllers of Works in Lagos and Ogun, the Commissioners of Police in both states, FRSC officials and other stakeholders was held on Wednesday to address the crisis.

Hamzat said additional personnel had been deployed to prevent motorists from driving against traffic.

According to him, FRSC officials, LASTMA personnel, police officers and military personnel were positioned at strategic points to stop counter-flow driving and restore order.

“It is flowing, but at a snail’s speed,” he said, adding that the authorities expected the gridlock to gradually ease if motorists complied with traffic directions.

Hamzat also praised the personnel who had remained on the road for extended periods to manage the situation.

He said additional officers had been deployed by the Lagos and Ogun State police commands as well as FRSC formations in both states.

“Everybody knows that this is a problem that must be solved,” he said.

While the authorities continue to work to clear the congestion, Hamzat urged motorists to exercise patience and avoid risky driving decisions that could worsen traffic or cause further accidents.

He also advised motorists who become too tired during long journeys to pull over at a safe and convenient location and rest before continuing.

“If you’re tired, naturally, you’re not supposed to drive more than four hours. So, if it happens, you can conveniently park at either a gas station or any convenient place and relax for about 10-15 minutes, then you continue with your journey,” he advised.

For commuters caught in the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway nightmare, the immediate concern remains getting home or reaching their destinations after hours of delays.

The FRSC, however, said it was maintaining maximum deployment along the affected corridors and would continue working with other security and traffic agencies until normal traffic flow is restored.