Security concerns have escalated following the worsening traffic congestion along the Berger–Oworonshoki Expressway, as the second phase of repair works on the Ogudu–Ifako Bridge in Kosofe Local Council, Lagos State, commenced.
The Lagos State government had announced that the project would run from Tuesday, August 19, to Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Since the repairs began, motorists and commuters have faced severe gridlock, with reports of hoodlums taking advantage of the situation to rob road users.
Journalist, lawyer and activist Richard Akinnola recounted how he was attacked while caught in traffic.
“I was in the traffic at about noon when l was robbed by hoodlums who took advantage of the severe traffic. They dispossessed me of every cash with me. The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) ought to be proactive and anticipated the operations of these idiots within that corridor, by deploying their men along the area. They need to do this before someone is hurt or shot,” he lamented.
For many road users, the impact of the gridlock has been economic as well as personal. A tricyclist, Dare Adebayo, said his income had dropped significantly. He urged the government to consider carrying out repairs at night or on weekends to minimise traffic congestion. Another commuter, Segun Ade, described the daily struggle: “It is a very tough challenge for you going to Ojota. Spending like almost one hour, that is very tough. Before the bridge maintenance began, I spent minimum of three to five minutes.”
Drivers also raised concerns over alleged harassment by traffic officers. A motorist identified as Mr Gbenga said, “As drivers, we face a lot from the operatives of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASTMA). LASTMA men just catch and hold us for no reason,” he alleged, urging the deployment of officials to properly direct traffic instead.
Other commuters, including Oladele Dada and Olumide Adesanya, highlighted the longer travel time, increased fuel consumption, and toll on health. Dada noted: “From Abiola Garden to Yaba, I spend 50 minutes. But as a result of the traffic gridlock, I am spending between over an hour. The logjam is unbearable. The government should hasten the repairs before the students resume.”
Adesanya added, “This traffic takes our time. Before we can go like six trips a day, now we hardly go for three trips. And again, as a result of this traffic, people do faint in the vehicle, I heard it from someone. What the government suppose to do is to look for a road under the bridge that link to the other side… But they didn’t, they just keep on doing the road, everywhere is blocked.”
Another driver, Sunday Anozie, said the situation had doubled fuel consumption. “Sometime if I buy fuel let’s say 12,000, I can use it the whole day. But now it can’t reach a day. You hardly go on three trips before the fuel is finished because of the traffic,” he said.
However, a construction worker on site, identified simply as Okonobo, blamed motorists’ indiscipline for the gridlock, stressing that proper lane discipline was necessary to ease traffic flow.
Despite repeated efforts, the Lagos State Police Command did not respond to enquiries on measures being taken to ensure security along the corridor.
