Commuters and motorists in Lagos endured severe gridlock from Wednesday until the early hours of Thursday following the closure of Independence Bridge in Falomo for maintenance and rehabilitation.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olukorede Kesha, had earlier announced that the bridge would remain closed until the end of May 2025. She stated that the closure would affect traffic from Ahmadu Bello Way and Adeola Odeku to Marina, Eko Bridge, and Onikan. Motorists were advised to use alternative routes.
Despite the warning, the closure led to immediate traffic chaos, with stranded commuters resorting to ferries and trekking. The situation was worsened by an early morning downpour, making movement even more difficult. Areas such as Victoria Island and Ikoyi were hit the hardest.
Tragic Incidents Amid Gridlock
Among the distressing events was the fall of a 70-year-old woman into a manhole while trekking due to the heavy traffic. Her family member, Tosin Kassim, revealed she was preparing for her birthday celebration on Sunday but is now hospitalized and has undergone surgeries.
In another tragic incident, a seven-year-old boy lost his life after his family's vehicle was stuck in the traffic for hours while rushing him to the hospital.
A commuter, Dr. Lakinbofa Goodluck, also narrated how his friend suffered ulcer complications after being stranded for nearly nine hours without food. He had to arrange for colleagues to bring her food to prevent further deterioration of her health.
Government’s Response
Federal Controller Olukorede Kesha confirmed that her team was working on remedial measures to reopen the bridge for vehicles. She, however, admitted that damages on the bridge were extensive, making it uncertain whether commuters could use it by Friday.
In response to public outcry, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, visited the site on Thursday to assess the situation. He apologized for the severe disruptions but emphasized that the repairs were necessary to prevent a major disaster due to the deteriorating structural integrity of the bridge.
