Motorists and commuters were stranded for more than three hours on Sunday following a severe traffic gridlock along the Lagos–Benin Expressway in Edo State.
The congestion occurred between Ovia Bridge and Okada Junction, leaving several road users struggling to reach their destinations despite many drivers having departed early in the morning.
The situation was worsened by vehicle breakdowns, an accident along the route, indiscriminate roadside parking and impatient motorists who reportedly drove against traffic, further obstructing movement.
Some drivers identified the Okada axis, particularly a damaged section of the road near Tipper Garage, as a recurring traffic bottleneck. They called on the Edo State Government to repair the affected portion and urged relevant authorities to strengthen traffic enforcement.
A driver identified as Akanni blamed some truck drivers for contributing to the congestion by parking along the roadside to sleep instead of continuing their journeys promptly.
Another driver, Chukwu, criticised what he described as inadequate enforcement of traffic regulations and called for urgent government intervention to improve movement along the highway.
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Responding to the situation, the Edo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Preye Bedford, said personnel regularly monitored the route and were deployed to manage traffic whenever accidents or vehicle breakdowns were reported.
Bedford urged motorists to remain patient and obey traffic regulations, stressing the importance of responsible driving in preventing further congestion.
The incident has renewed calls for improved road maintenance, stricter traffic enforcement and greater cooperation among motorists to ensure smoother movement along the busy Lagos–Benin Expressway.
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