Barely a year after the collapse of the Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, the state has suffered another major infrastructure setback as the Malam-Audu Bridge, a vital link between Pantisawa and Jalingo, was washed away on Thursday after hours of heavy rainfall.
The collapse has stranded hundreds of commuters and pedestrians on both sides, disrupting movement along the busy route and forcing travelers onto longer, more difficult detours.
Eyewitnesses said the bridge gave way without warning. No casualties had been reported as of press time.
Frustrated residents accused the government of neglect, warning that the loss of the bridge would inflict severe hardship on both the community and the state. They said the destruction had effectively cut them off from Jalingo, the state capital.
They urged the Taraba State Government and the Federal Government to act swiftly, cautioning against a repeat of the Namnai Bridge incident, which remains unrepaired nearly a year after its collapse.
The residents also appealed to their representatives in the National Assembly to intensify efforts to secure federal intervention for the bridge’s restoration.