Oshodi: Motorists, commuters accuse police of contributing to gridlock

Commercial bus drivers, private car owners as well as commuters plying the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway have described the activities of the Nigeria Police on the road as insensitive and accused them of contributing to the traffic logjam.

Recently, the police positioned themselves in front of the NAFDAC office in Oshodi to stop cars plying the route, thereby contributing to traffic snarl.

Last week, Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Adedamola Kuti, disclosed that construction work had commenced on various sections of the highway. But while works go on, users of the busy expressway are going through hell due to the traffic snarl which paralysed movement on the five-lane route, with motorists spending hours to navigate through the tankers and trailers parked on the expressway. With the heavy traffic, the police stand by the side of the road, not to control traffic but to extort commercial bus drivers with the aid of touts and street urchins whose numbers have risen at an alarming rate.

When The Guardian approached the policeman that led the five-man team on the road, he said: “What’s the problem, why do you want to know? You journalists always write against us.” Another spot that has raised an eyebrow is the Anthony-Oshodi bypass, before the Mobil Filling station, opposite Shodex Garden. The policemen position themselves at a sharp corner, stopping moving vehicles, becoming more active in the night when they extort drivers.