Moro Bridge Collapse: Commuters Battle Floodwaters, Extortion, Business Losses, Endless Delays

Commuters, residents and business owners travelling through the popular Moro Bridge, which links parts of Oyo North to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, have continued to battle floodwaters, extortion, business losses and endless delays two weeks after its collapse.

The severe hardship began after the bridge collapsed about two weeks ago.

‎The collapsed bridge, located after Madalla, serves as a major route connecting communities such as Alapa, Ode-Giwa, Bakase, Igbeti, Kishi, Igboho, Saki and other parts of Oke-Ogun in Oyo State to Kwara State.

‎Findings by Naijaonpoint showed that the incident has crippled movement along the route, disrupted commercial activities and left hundreds of motorists stranded daily as they struggle to navigate dangerous alternative paths created around the failed section of the road.

‎The collapse occurred after a heavy truck carrying stones caved in the already weakened bridge structure, leading to the death of some individuals.

‎Residents also disclosed that tragedy struck again days later when a young man was reportedly swept away by floodwaters while attempting to cross through the temporary alternative route created after the bridge disaster.

It was noted that due to the recent heavy downpour, the alternative route was filled with water, and the individual’s swimming ability failed him.

‎Naijaonpoint correspondent who visited the area observed the difficult conditions commuters now endure daily.

‎Vehicles, motorcycles and pedestrians were seen struggling to move through muddy and flooded paths created beside the collapsed bridge. Some motorists appeared trapped in deep water while others relied on groups of young men to push their vehicles through slippery portions of the crossing.

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Large crowds also gathered around the failed section as travellers waited for hours, hoping the water level would reduce enough for safe passage.

‎The situation becomes worse whenever rainfall occurs, as vehicles are often completely swallowed up by floodwaters and unable to cross.

They get trapped and even flushed away by the heavy flood.

‎Motorists told Naijaonpoint that heavy rainfall usually floods the makeshift route, leaving passengers and drivers stranded on both sides of the road for several hours and, in some cases, days.

‎Commercial drivers lamented that they now risk damaging their vehicles while attempting to cross the unstable route.

‎One of the drivers interviewed by Naijaonpoint correspondent said he was asked to pay ₦15,000 before locals could assist him in dragging his vehicle through the muddy section after losing control of the wheels.

‎According to him, “My vehicle got stuck in the mud, and there was no way out. I was asked to pay ₦15,000 before they could help me pull it across to the Ilorin side.

“I begged them to accept ₦3,000, but they will not accept my plea. I am trapped here. ”

‎Commuters also accused local touts, popularly called ‘Agberos’, of taking advantage of the crisis by charging exorbitant fees to help people cross the flooded path.

‎Travellers said that the group, to its demand, carries different amounts to carry loads, transports goods manually and even assists motorcycles through difficult sections of the crossing.