Pre-Sallah Rush Triggers Unprecedented Traffic Jam Across Lagos

Lagos residents endured another day of severe traffic disruption on Thursday, as pre-Sallah market activities and the evening rush hour combined to create gridlock on major routes, leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was particularly affected, with a traffic jam beginning at Otedola Bridge and continuing through Ogun State to the Fatgbem Filling Station. Many commuters, unable to wait for delayed buses, were seen walking towards their destinations, while the elderly and families with children waited helplessly by the roadside.

Berger Bus Stop, a key transit point for travelers heading out of Lagos, was nearly empty, overtaken by vehicles stuck in traffic and stranded passengers. Street vendors took advantage of the situation, moving between vehicles to sell refreshments.

Transport fares soared as commercial drivers raised prices from the usual N500–N700 to as much as N2,000, taking advantage of the desperate situation. Some private car owners offered rides to exhausted commuters.

Kazeem Olarewaju, a commuter, voiced 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 commuter, who wished to remain anonymous, called on the government to move the Kara market. “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,” he said.

Ademola, traveling to Ibadan with his family, described the Kara market as a recurring problem. “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 noted.

Florence Okpe, spokesperson for the Ogun State Sector Command of the FRSC, attributed the gridlock to increased activity at the Kara Market in preparation for Sallah. “Our officials are already on the ground and will remain there to manage the traffic throughout the festive period,” she said.

Elsewhere in Lagos, traffic congestion was reported in several areas. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) reported significant delays on the CMS Bridge towards Offin Canal Market, though traffic was clear beyond the market area.

Broad Street also experienced congestion, with delays stretching towards Apongbon underbridge, linked to market activities and the evening rush. However, 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 unobstructed.

LASTMA officials were seen at key points, coordinating traffic. In Egbeda, particularly along Idimu-Isheri Road, traffic was heavy due to ram trading, while makeshift ram markets at College Bus Stop in Ikotun worsened the situation.