Lagos-Ibadan Bridge Repairs Begin After Shocking Crash Injures 7

Lagos-Ibadan Bridge Repairs Begin After Shocking Crash Injures 7

Lagos-Ibadan bridge repairs have officially begun as the Federal Government moves to fix three failing bridges—Kara, Arepo, and Magboro—along one of Nigeria’s busiest expressways. The emergency action follows a disturbing accident that injured several passengers at Arepo bus stop, raising public alarm over the crumbling state of these vital structures.

The accident involved an 18-seater commercial bus that hit a damaged expansion joint, causing injuries to at least seven people. Witnesses described the moment as terrifying, as the vehicle lost control and passengers screamed for help. The crash turned public attention sharply toward the risky condition of bridges commuters use daily.

Speaking to journalists, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, confirmed that the accident was triggered by a failing joint. She said the damage is part of a larger pattern seen across key bridge points on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“Some are now showing signs of failure, and the Federal Government is addressing the issue,” Kesha stated.

She explained that palliative repairs are being carried out immediately to prevent further accidents. A contractor already working in the area has been directed to begin emergency fixes this weekend. While these temporary solutions won’t solve everything, they aim to reduce danger and stabilize the bridges while the government awaits approval for full-scale rehabilitation.

But Kesha didn’t stop at structural issues. She pointed to another major threat—vandalism.

“Some of these failures result from acts of vandalism,” she said firmly. She described how tampering with public infrastructure leads to early deterioration, putting lives at risk and wasting taxpayers’ money.

“Damaging public property does not benefit any responsible citizen,” she emphasized, calling on Nigerians to take ownership of shared assets.

Her appeal was emotional and practical. She apologized for the past accidents and road users’ suffering, urging people to treat public structures as collective property.

“Let us regard these facilities as our own property,” she said.

She also encouraged the public to report anyone caught vandalizing public infrastructure. “Offenders must be apprehended so that others can learn from it,” she added.

Her words hit home for many who travel the route daily. Traders, drivers, and students all share the same fear—will the bridge hold today?

A bus driver, Ibrahim, who drives between Berger and Mowe, said the Kara and Arepo sections often shake when heavy vehicles pass. “Sometimes, you feel like the bridge will give way. It’s scary. We just pray nothing worse happens,” he said.

For residents like Amaka, who commutes daily from Ogun to Lagos, the news of the Lagos-Ibadan bridge repairs came as a relief. “We’ve been worried for months. You hear loud bangs when cars pass certain points. I hope they fix it properly this time,” she said.

Social media has amplified these fears. Several viral videos show loose or cracked joints, sparking debates and calls for action. Road engineers have also warned about the dangers of postponing repairs on structures that carry tens of thousands of vehicles every day.

While the current work is temporary, many hope it signals a lasting change. The Federal Government, according to Kesha, remains committed to safer roads. But that promise can only hold if communities protect what is built.

The palliative works are expected to wrap up quickly, and officials have assured the public that traffic disruptions will be minimal. Still, the true fix lies ahead—full rehabilitation.

Until then, the message is clear: protect public property, report vandals, and take infrastructure seriously.

Nigerians like Musa, a trader who loads goods from Ibadan to Lagos, summed it up: “It’s not only the government’s job. If we damage what they fix, we all suffer.”

As construction teams set up on the Kara, Arepo, and Magboro bridges, they carry more than concrete and tools. They carry public trust and the hope that safety will finally return to one of Nigeria’s most vital roads.