Collapsed Federal Roads Turn Highways into Death Traps for Travellers

By Diafa Doubra,

Travelling across Nigeria’s major federal highways has become a nightmare for motorists as several key roads continue to deteriorate, leaving commuters stranded and exposing them to accidents and criminal attacks. From the East-West Road in the South-South to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja-Lokoja route, the story is the same — deep potholes, failed portions, and collapsed bridges have turned the roads into death traps.

According to reports, drivers now spend hours navigating through broken sections of these highways, while transport fares have doubled due to the worsening condition of the roads. Many travellers lament that the situation not only causes unbearable delays but also emboldens kidnappers and armed robbers who take advantage of gridlocks to attack vehicles.

Motorists and transport unions are calling on the Federal Government to act urgently, saying that years of neglect and poor maintenance have crippled road transportation and increased road accidents nationwide. Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Works has promised that repair and reconstruction efforts are ongoing, though citizens insist that visible progress remains slow and far below expectations.