Across Lagos, pedestrian bridges were built to help residents and visitors cross the ever busy roads safely. But today, many of these bridges, especially those with covers, have become apartment for some homeless people, including drug users.

As a result, some individuals are scared of using the bridges, preferring to cross the road despite the risk of crossing the expressways that are not illuminated at night, just like the bridges.

A Lagos resident, Ben Sonia Theresa, described walking on pedestrian bridges as a very scary experience for her. She listed several bridges she uses to include those at Ketu, Ojota, Oshodi, 7Up, Berger, and Secretariat, but admits she often feel unsafe while walking through them, especially when the day is dark.

“I feel unsafe when I use some of the pedestrian bridges, especially at night, because my aunt was once robbed on Ojota Bridge,” she said. She added: “Most of these bridges are not lit at night. And you find all manner of people on board, including drug addicts. To be honest, my fear is not the homeless people; it is the drug addicts and criminals. This is because I don’t want anyone snatching my phone or money. Honestly, I feel for the homeless, because it is not even safe for them too, I mean those who are genuinely homeless. But for me, once it is 5-6 pm or very early in the morning, I avoid the bridges totally. I never use the bridge at Ketu or Ojota, because that’s where my aunt was robbed. So, I’d rather cross the road.”

Another resident, Fatokun Samuel, explained that his concern is both safety and cleanliness.

“I use the pedestrian bridge at Agungi and Yaba. I believe most people are not using the pedestrian bridges due to safety. The government should please provide a security team, especially at night. I would not advise anyone to use any pedestrian bridge at night because of their safety,” he said. He also cited the state of hygiene on the bridges as another big reason people don’t use them.

“Some of these bridges stink. You see the Iyana Ipaja Bridge, people urinate and defecate there. The irritating smell is one major problem I have using it. I really don’t have issues with people sleeping there as long as they’re not harassing me. However, it is also a major concern since you don’t know who is who.”

A resident of Ketu, Ajibola Rufus, shared that fear of attack, saying it is the main reason he does not use the Ketu Bus Stop pedestrian bridge, especially at night, advising people against using it during late hours.

However, crossing highways is one of the major causes of pedestrian accidents in Lagos. The Lagos State government once revealed that pedestrian related accidents account for nearly 40 per cent of road crashes in the state, with many of these cases linked to people refusing to use footbridges.

Soleye Segun, a regular user of the Berger pedestrian bridge, said: “I use the Berger Bridge very often, and I usually pity those people whenever I see them, because to me, they are risking their lives.”

He also noted that improving bridge facilities such as installing streetlights, cleaning them regularly, and deploying security officers would encourage more residents to use them at night.

He believes that as much as there are people who cross the road because they are scared to use the bridge, there are also people who deliberately risk their lives by crossing the highways.

“I feel like some people don’t care about their lives, that’s why they cross the express road, but I still think some people are scared to use the bridge because of those people sleeping on it.”