Commuters across the Lagos metropolis were once again trapped in paralyzing gridlock on Thursday, as vehicular movement ground to a halt for hours—a recurring ordeal that seems to defy resolution.
Outbound traffic on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was especially harrowing. The bottleneck, which began at the notorious Otedola Bridge, stretched deep into Ogun State, terminating near the Fatgbem Filling Station. Thousands of travelers were left stranded or forced to trek for kilometers.
Stranded passengers, unable to wait for commercial buses caught in the traffic snarl, resorted to trekking toward the Fatgbem area. The elderly and families with children stood helplessly by the roadside under the scorching sun.
Berger Bus Stop—normally teeming with passengers heading to Mowe, Magboro, Wawa, and Arepo—was a scene of disruption. The entire space, including the bus shed, was overwhelmed by vehicles stuck in traffic and frustrated commuters.
Seizing the opportunity, street vendors weaved between the immobilized vehicles, hawking sachet water, drinks, and snacks. Commercial drivers who managed to maneuver through the chaos hiked fares dramatically—from the usual ₦500–₦700 to as much as ₦2,000.
Some sympathetic private motorists stopped to pick up visibly exhausted pedestrians.
“It’s unbearable,” lamented commuter Kazeem Olarewaju. “I left the Lagos Secretariat at 3 p.m.—this is 5 p.m.—and I’ve barely moved. The bus fare has tripled. Why can’t the government relocate these ram sellers? Why should everyone suffer for a few people?”
Another commuter, who declined to be named, added, “This happens every Sallah. If the government cares, they should move that market. It’s only the common man that suffers this.”
Ademola, a father en route to Ibadan, described the Kara Market as a “yearly menace.” He noted, “If it’s not roadworks, it’s ram sellers. The FRSC officials are trying, but this is beyond traffic control.”
Florence Okpe, spokesperson for the Ogun State FRSC Sector Command, confirmed that the congestion was due to increased pre-Sallah activity around the Kara Market. “Our officials are already on the ground and will remain there throughout the festive period,” she said.
Elsewhere in Lagos, the story was much the same. From CMS to Offin Canal Market, Broad Street to Apongbon, and Egbeda to Ikotun, traffic was heavily impacted by market activity and the evening rush.
At 4:26 p.m., the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) reported severe congestion on the CMS Bridge due to Offin Canal Market traffic. However, traffic flow improved past the Ijora Olopa by NEPA intersection and along Eko Bridge toward Marina.
Officials were stationed at multiple choke points to coordinate traffic and ease delays, but in areas like Idimu-Isheri and Ikotun College Bus Stop, temporary ram markets continued to obstruct the flow of vehicles.