Motorists and commuters in Lagos faced hours-long gridlock on Thursday, as heavy traffic brought key routes across the metropolis to a near standstill.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was particularly affected, with congestion stretching from Otedola Bridge through the Ogun State corridor all the way to Fatgbem Filling Station.
Thousands were either stuck in traffic or forced to trek long distances.
Passengers stranded by the gridlock headed on foot toward Fatgbem Filling Station, while elderly people and families waited helplessly under the sun.
The usually busy Berger Bus Stop was nearly deserted, with vehicles occupying the entire bus park and nearby areas.
Vendors capitalized on the traffic jam by selling water, snacks, and soft drinks to stranded motorists. Meanwhile, commercial drivers raised fares sharply from the normal N500–N700 to as much as N2,000.
A few private car owners were seen offering lifts to tired passengers.
Commuter Kazeem Olarewaju expressed frustration, saying, “I left Lagos Secretariat at 3 p.m. and barely moved by 5 p.m.
The fare has tripled, and this chaos seems caused by a few people blocking the road.”
Many blamed the persistent traffic on ram sellers at Kara Market, calling on the government to relocate the market to ease the congestion.
Ademola, traveling to Ibadan, described the market as a yearly headache during festive seasons, stating, “Every year, it’s the same problem — road repairs or ram sellers.”
Ogun State FRSC spokesperson Florence Okpe confirmed the congestion was linked to pre-Sallah activities at Kara Market and said officials were on-site managing traffic.
In Lagos, gridlock spread to several commercial corridors Thursday evening due to market activities and rush-hour traffic.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) reported heavy congestion around CMS Bridge near Offin Canal Market and Broad Street leading to Apongbon underbridge, largely due to market-related activities.
However, traffic was reported flowing smoothly on Eko Bridge and parts of the Marina area. LASTMA personnel were deployed to key choke points to manage traffic and ease delays.
Ram trading also caused severe traffic in Egbeda and Ikotun, where makeshift markets sprang up, further slowing movement.
The persistent congestion highlights the urgent need for coordinated measures to manage market activities and improve traffic flow during peak periods.
