On Thursday, Lagos was brought to a near standstill as severe traffic congestion gripped major roads, trapping commuters for hours and highlighting the city’s ongoing struggle with traffic management.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was the epicenter of the chaos, with a traffic jam originating at Otedola Bridge and stretching through the Ogun State corridor to the Fatgbem Filling Station. Thousands of commuters were left stranded, with many forced to walk to their destinations due to immobilized buses.
The gridlock forced passengers, especially those unable to wait for delayed buses, to trek towards the Fatgbem filling station. The situation was particularly harsh for the elderly and families with children, who waited in vain by the roadside under the hot sun.
Berger Bus Stop, typically teeming with travelers heading to Mowe, Magboro, Wawa, and Arepo, was almost deserted as vehicles and stranded passengers filled the area. Vendors seized the opportunity to sell water, drinks, and snacks to those stuck in the jam.
Transport fares skyrocketed, with drivers charging up to N2,000 for trips that usually cost N500–N700. Some private motorists offered relief by picking up exhausted commuters.
One commuter, Kazeem Olarewaju, expressed his frustration: “I don’t understand why a few people are allowed to inconvenience everyone else. Why can’t the government relocate these ram sellers? Why should people suffer like this just because they want to use a public road? This is 5 p.m. I left the Lagos Secretariat around 3 pm, and I’ve barely moved. The bus fare has tripled.”
Another road user, declining to give his name, urged the government to relocate the Kara market, saying, “You won’t see any of our leaders plying this road. It’s only the common man. Please, help us beg them to move this market elsewhere. It’s not a difficult thing to do if the government truly wants to help us, especially during festive seasons.”
Ademola, traveling with his family to Ibadan, pointed to the Kara market as a recurring issue. “That market has become a menace for road users during Sallah celebrations. This isn’t the first time commuters are facing this kind of hardship. If it’s not road repairs, it’s ram sellers. Every year, there’s a problem. The FRSC officials are trying, but this is beyond just traffic control,” he said.
Florence Okpe, spokesperson for the Ogun State Sector Command of the FRSC, confirmed that the congestion was due to increased activity at the Kara Market ahead of Sallah. “Our officials are already on the ground and will remain there to manage the traffic throughout the festive period,” she said.
Other parts of Lagos also experienced severe traffic as pre-Sallah market activities and the evening rush hour combined to slow vehicular movement. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) reported heavy congestion on the CMS Bridge towards Offin Canal Market, though traffic cleared up beyond the market area.
Broad Street also saw a build-up, with congestion stretching towards Apongbon underbridge, attributed to market activities and the typical evening rush. In contrast, traffic was smooth on Eko Bridge by the NEPA intersection and towards CMS, Elegbeta Mini Stadium, and Ebute-Ero Market. The route from Ebute-Ero Market through Leventis, UBA Roundabout, and Marina was also clear.
LASTMA officials were actively managing traffic at critical points. In Egbeda, particularly along Idimu-Isheri Road, traffic was heavy due to ram trading, while makeshift markets at College Bus Stop in Ikotun added to the delays.