Motorists and commuters spent more than three hours in traffic along the Benin-Lagos Expressway on Sunday after a major gridlock developed between Ovia Bridge and Okada Junction in Edo State.

The early morning congestion left several vehicles stranded, with articulated trucks accounting for a large proportion of those caught in the traffic. Some motorists also experienced vehicle breakdowns, while an accident further worsened the situation.

Drivers said the Okada axis had become a recurring traffic bottleneck, particularly around a damaged section of the road near Tipper Garage.

One of the motorists, identified as Akanni, blamed some truck drivers for contributing to the congestion by parking along the roadside to sleep instead of resuming their journeys early enough.

He criticised the failure of some drivers to observe road rules, saying their actions created additional obstacles for other road users.

Another driver, Chukwu, said he had heard about a traffic jam around Ovia Bridge at about 2am and decided to rest at a bypass near Oluku.

However, he said he encountered another gridlock after passing through the Ovia Bridge section without difficulty.

Chukwu blamed weak enforcement of traffic regulations for the situation and called on government agencies, particularly the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to ensure that drivers comply with road safety rules.

He also urged the Edo State Government to repair the damaged section near Okada, arguing that the poor road condition was affecting the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

“Everything boils down to the government. Their agencies must enforce the law, while the repair of the bad portion of the road should also be done,” he said.

Impatience among motorists further aggravated the congestion, as some drivers resorted to driving against the flow of traffic in an attempt to bypass the queue, creating additional obstructions along the highway.

The Edo State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Preye Bedford, said officers monitored the affected corridor periodically to help maintain traffic flow and respond to incidents.

Bedford explained that personnel were not permanently stationed at the location but were deployed when accidents or vehicle breakdowns were reported.

He said officers operating around Ofosu and other nearby locations were also available to respond when necessary.

The FRSC commander urged motorists to remain patient and obey traffic regulations to prevent further congestion.

The incident has renewed concerns over the condition of the Benin-Lagos Expressway, particularly the damaged road section near Okada and the need for effective traffic management along the busy interstate route.