Gridlock on Lagos-Ibadan road as gas leakage causes panic

A gas pipeline exploded on Wednesday near the PUNCH head office in the Arepo-Magboro of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, causing panic among residents and motorists in the area.

As the gas continued to erupt with a huge sound heard many kilometres away, people scampered for safety, causing gridlock on the highway.

The Punch reported that the gas pipeline ruptured during construction work by men of Julius Berger company on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

People said the loud sound was heard around 9.30am, forcing many to rush out of their apartments.

The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps asked motorists to find alternatives routes.

It said, “An incident of gas leakage, through a damaged pipeline by Julius Berger, the construction company, working on the Berger-Interchange stretch of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which has resulted in an explosion around Punch Newspaper, Magboro, has been reported with traffic gridlock on both inbound and outbound sections of the expressway.”

TRACE’s statement added, “Road users around the axis are implored not to be jittery as safety officials from TRACE, FRSC, police, and the fire service are on top of the situation.”

The FRSC Corridor Commander, Lagos-Ibadan-Egbeda Corridor, Kehinde Hamzat, also said, “We have a case of gas pipeline explosion around Punch Newspaper, Magboro. The pipeline got busted while men of Julius Berger, the construction company working on Lagos-Ibadan expressway were excavating a surface for worksite.

“This has led to a standstill traffic situation on both sections of the expressway.

“Motorists are advised not to panic as professionals are being contacted to take care of the situation.

“For people who have time-bound activities may explore alternative routes and for those who can postpone their trips, let us endeavour to do so while the situation gets controlled.”