Lagos in Chaos: Bridge Closure Sparks Deadly Gridlock, Leaving Commuters Stranded for Hours
Lagos, Nigeria – A traffic nightmare unfolded in Lagos on Wednesday, leaving thousands of commuters stranded for hours as the Independence Bridge closure in Falomo triggered an unprecedented gridlock across the city. The situation spiraled into tragedy, with reports of a seven-year-old boy dying in traffic after failing to reach the hospital on time, and a 70-year-old woman hospitalized after falling into a manhole while trekking to escape the congestion.
City in Gridlock: A Commute from Hell
What started as a routine road closure for bridge maintenance quickly descended into chaos, as Lagosians found themselves trapped in endless traffic stretching across Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki. Stranded motorists blasted the government for poor planning, with some spending over ten hours on the road while others were forced to trek miles to reach their destinations.
In viral videos flooding social media, frustrated commuters vented their anger, calling the gridlock a disaster in the making.
“Welcome to Lagos! I spent four hours just trying to move a few kilometers. This city is unlivable!” lamented an X user, Chris Ejiofor.
Another commuter, Dr. Lakinbofa Goodluck, shared a distressing story of a friend who nearly collapsed from ulcer complications due to the prolonged stay in traffic, barely surviving thanks to an emergency food delivery from colleagues.
Tragedy Strikes: Death and Injury Amid the Standstill
While many cursed their luck in the excruciating gridlock, others faced unimaginable heartbreak.
A seven-year-old boy lost his life, unable to reach the hospital in time because the car carrying him was stuck for hours in traffic.
“The boy had been referred to a private hospital, but they couldn’t move because of the congestion. By the time they got out, it was too late,” a source close to the family revealed.
In another grim incident, a septuagenarian who had spent hours in traffic decided to trek home—only to fall into a hidden manhole, leaving her with severe injuries requiring multiple surgeries. Her family, still in shock, had been preparing to celebrate her 70th birthday this Sunday.
“We were planning a grand birthday for her. Now she’s in the hospital instead, fighting for her life,” her relative, Tosin Kassim, said.
Government Scrambles for Damage Control
As public outrage mounted, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu rushed to the site on Thursday, apologizing for the disruptions and admitting that the situation had spiraled beyond expectations.
“We understand the hardship this has caused Lagosians, but the bridge’s structural integrity was failing. Immediate repairs were necessary to avoid a disaster,” Sanwo-Olu explained.
Meanwhile, Federal Controller of Works, Olukorede Kesha, announced plans to reopen the bridge partially, revealing that engineers were racing against time to complete emergency work by Friday.
However, critics slammed the government for poor planning and lack of proactive measures, with popular TV anchor Rufai Oseni calling the situation “a joke of a leadership failure.”
Lagosians Left to Fend for Themselves
With no immediate relief in sight, Lagosians braced for more traffic horror in the coming weeks, as the bridge closure is expected to last until May 2025.
For now, residents are left with two options: battle the chaos or find alternative routes—if they exist at all.
