Panic on the Expressway as 16 Escape Death in Lagos-Ibadan Bus Crash

It was a close brush with death for 16 passengers on Tuesday evening as a commercial bus somersaulted along the Magboro axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, causing panic among road users.

The bus, which was en route to Abeokuta, lost control after hitting a pothole — a situation the driver claimed was responsible for the frightening accident.

Fortunately, no lives were lost, though some passengers sustained minor injuries.

The Scene of the Crash

Photos from the scene show the bus overturned, with emergency response teams and concerned citizens helping to evacuate the victims. Eyewitnesses described the incident as terrifying, noting how quickly the bus flipped over after hitting the road defect.




According to Faith Alofe, a Punch correspondent who visited the crash site, all passengers were accounted for and received immediate attention from nearby first responders.

Driver Blames Road Condition

The driver of the bus, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, attributed the crash to a large pothole on the expressway. He claimed that the impact from the road defect caused the vehicle to veer off balance and somersault.

His account adds to the growing concerns over the state of federal highways in Nigeria, particularly the Lagos-Ibadan route, which is one of the busiest and most vital road networks in the country.

No Fatalities, But Urgent Questions Remain

While many are thankful that no lives were lost, the incident raises critical questions about:

• The state of road maintenance and safety.

• The responsibility of transport companies to ensure vehicle conditions.

• The need for quick emergency response systems along major highways.

This is not the first incident reported along this stretch of the expressway, and many commuters are calling on FERMA and the Federal Ministry of Works to act fast before tragedy strikes again.

A Wake-Up Call for Road Safety Enforcement

In light of this event, road safety experts are urging the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to step up:

• Regular road inspections

• Deployment of warning signs around dangerous sections

• Public awareness campaigns on safe driving, especially during the rainy season

Conclusion: Grateful but Alarmed

The survival of all 16 passengers is nothing short of a miracle — but it also shines a harsh spotlight on Nigeria’s ongoing infrastructure decay and road safety lapses.

The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway remains one of the most important transport corridors in West Africa, and incidents like this remind us all that every journey on our roads is a gamble when proactive maintenance and safety are lacking.

Picture Credits: The Punch