Motorists and residents at Arepo-Magboro axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway are in panic over gas leakage and explosion.
In a video shared on social media, the gas leakage was spotted at Arepo area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The leakage is reportedly due to excavation works by workers of Julius Berger working on the road.
However, the FRSC Corridor Commander, Lagos-Ibadan-Egbeda Corridor, Kehinde Hamzat, advised motorists not to panic, saying that “professionals are taking care of the situation”.
Hamzat said this in a traffic advisory for users of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway around Magboro.
The FRSC official 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 endeavor to do so while the situation gets controlled.”
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Traffic Management Agency has warned motorists to find alternatives routes and those trapped in the traffic to keep safe as first responders have arrived in the area.
“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 into an explosion around Punch Newspaper, Magboro, has been reported with traffic gridlock on both inbound and outbound sections of the expressway,” TRACE said in a statement.
“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.
“Those trapped in traffic are admonished to be patient, while those presently making their journey towards the expressway and are in haste should please seek alternative routes,” the statement added.