A full day after a petrol tanker exploded near the NASFAT Camp on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, movement remains at a near standstill, leaving thousands of motorists and commuters trapped in a traffic nightmare that shows no sign of easing.
The explosion occurred Wednesday when the tanker, fully loaded with petrol, overturned and burst into flames. The resulting fire led to panic and confusion, engulfing several vehicles and sending thick black smoke into the sky.
Despite claims from the Federal Road Safety Corps that the fire had been swiftly contained and clearance efforts launched, the aftermath continues to paralyze one of Nigeria’s busiest highways.
As of Thursday morning, vehicles heading to Ibadan remained gridlocked, while inbound traffic toward Lagos was being diverted onto just two narrow lanes. With no clear route around the wreckage, drivers have been left to fend for themselves.
“I left Arepo at 7:00 a.m. and I’m still not in Ibafo by 9:15. That’s a five-minute stretch,” a visibly frustrated commuter told Punch. Another driver, Mr. Dele Ayeni, said he had been stuck in traffic for over three hours, questioning why such a major route was still unusable despite official reassurances.
Commercial drivers, like Rafiu Alamu, echoed similar concerns. “I’ve been on this road since 6:30 a.m., and it’s already past 10. Not one complete trip done. No FRSC official or traffic marshal in sight,” he lamented.
The human toll was equally glaring. Passengers stepped out to stretch their legs in the heat, fanning themselves with papers and bags. A pregnant woman leaned out of a window gasping for air, whispering, “Only God will save us in this country.”
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Vendors along the expressway capitalized on the unusual delay, with one teenage hawker saying he had made “no small money” selling snacks and drinks. “I just pity people wey dey inside traffic,” he added.
Online, frustration boiled over as Nigerians slammed the country’s emergency response system. Social media users voiced outrage at what they described as an avoidable crisis, citing delayed evacuation, poor communication, and lack of effective traffic management.
@Ay_bkini posted, “It’s crazy that in 2025, a fire incident involving multiple trailers still has Lagos-Ibadan traffic locked up the next day. I had to turn back.”
Similarly, @Ridwanullahii tweeted, “Only Lagos State has reliable emergency response. This tanker crash is proof that Nigeria’s emergency management is dysfunctional.”
In response to inquiries, Ogun FRSC spokesperson Florence Okpe confirmed on Wednesday that there were no fatalities. She also stated that agencies had been mobilized to clear the wreckage. However, the prolonged disruption suggests otherwise.
As of the time of this report, the Ibadan-bound lane remained completely blocked. Some desperate drivers resorted to illegal maneuvers, using shoulders and pedestrian paths to navigate the chaos.
For many, this incident has once again highlighted systemic issues in Nigeria’s infrastructure and emergency response. With no end in sight to the traffic crisis, thousands are left stranded — victims not only of fire, but of a broken system.
PunchNewspaper
