Christmas Eve Miracle at Ojuelegba as 40ft Container Truck Flips on Bridge, Shuts Down Surulere Traffic Without a Single Fatality

A major disaster was narrowly averted on Christmas Eve as a 40-foot containerized truck overturned on the notorious Ojuelegba Bridge, leaving motorists in a standstill but miraculously recording no loss of life.

The accident occurred on Wednesday morning, December 24, 2025, as the Mack truck was descending the bridge inward the National Stadium in Surulere. According to eyewitness accounts, the driver appeared to lose control of the heavy-duty vehicle, causing the trailer to tilt and eventually capsize, with the massive container landing across the entire width of the carriageway.

The Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Taofiq Adebayo, confirmed that despite the potential for a catastrophic outcome, everyone involved escaped unhurt. “No casualty was recorded,” Adebayo stated, noting that the agency’s swift response helped prevent secondary accidents in the high-density area.

The fallout of the crash has significantly disrupted holiday travel plans for thousands of Lagosians. The fallen container created a total roadblock, forcing an immediate and indefinite closure of the bridge. To keep the city moving, LASTMA has implemented an emergency traffic plan: all vehicles traveling from Fadeyi and Onipan are currently being channeled through the service lanes at the bottom of the bridge to “burst out” at Barracks before reconnecting with Funso Williams Avenue.

LASTMA recovery teams, equipped with specialized cranes, are currently on-site working against the clock to lift the container and tow the truck’s remains. “In the interim, the bridge remains closed to ensure the safety of our recovery crew and the public,” Adebayo added.

This latest incident has once again sparked conversations regarding the safety of articulated vehicles on Lagos bridges, particularly at the Ojuelegba axis, which has a long history of container-related tragedies. Motorists are advised to avoid the Surulere corridor if possible and utilize the Eko Bridge or the Third Mainland Bridge as alternative routes while the Christmas Eve recovery efforts continue.