At least five commuters sustained severe injuries in a fresh road accident on the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Friday, January 2, 2026. The incident comes barely five days after a crash involving former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, on the same highway.
Details of the Somersault Accident
The latest crash occurred in the afternoon at Lufuwape, just after the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) camp. According to eyewitness accounts, a commercial bus carrying several passengers, described as Hausa men and women, suffered a tyre burst while approaching the Lufuwape warehouse bus stop from the interchange.
The vehicle reportedly lost control and somersaulted, leading to what one witness described as a near mass-casualty situation. "Today, I witnessed what could have been a mass tragedy," an eyewitness told reporters. "While returning from Kiribo, a bus conveying some Hausa men and women somersaulted at Lufuwape, just after the Redeem Camp, after a tyre burst."
Emergency Response and Alleged Police Absence
Pictures from the scene showed injured passengers lying on the ground with wounds to their heads, legs, and other body parts. Concerned residents and motorists quickly gathered to offer first aid before professional help arrived.
Another witness confirmed the severity of the injuries, stating, "About five to six of the commuters sustained serious injuries. We had to call the DPO Redeem and the emergency number for a rescue mission."
However, the response drew criticism. Eyewitnesses alleged that although the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at the Redeem Camp area was contacted and promised to visit the scene, he never showed up. "We called the DPO Redeem, and he promised to visit the scene, which he never did," the witness added. "We had to call the emergency responders, who later sent an ambulance."
Emergency officials eventually arrived and evacuated the injured victims to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.
A Notorious Highway and a Pattern of Crashes
This accident highlights the continued dangers of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a major artery that has remained a significant accident hotspot. Frequent crashes are attributed to multiple factors including:
- Tyre bursts
- Over-speeding
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Deteriorating sections of the road
The crash occurred just days after a high-profile incident on December 28, 2025, where an SUV carrying Anthony Joshua and his associates crashed into a stationary truck on the same expressway. That earlier accident claimed the lives of two of Joshua's associates.
In a related development, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed on Thursday, January 1, 2026, that the driver of the Lexus SUV involved in Joshua's crash has been taken into custody. Police Public Relations Officer Oluseyi Babaseyi stated the driver is being held as investigations continue.
The back-to-back accidents on this critical highway have renewed calls for enhanced safety measures, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, and improved road maintenance to prevent further loss of life and injury on one of Nigeria's most important and treacherous roads.
