Hundreds of commuters travelling along the Ilorin–Igbeti Federal Highway in Kwara State were stranded on Monday after severe flooding submerged the collapsed Moro Bridge, disrupting movement and trapping several vehicles along the busy route.
The flooding followed an overnight rainfall that caused the Moro River to overflow, leaving motorists and passengers stranded in deep waters around the damaged bridge located between Oko-Olowo/Mandala in Ilorin West and Asa Local Government Areas.
Eyewitnesses said several vehicles were partially submerged, while some passengers reportedly climbed onto vehicle roofs as they awaited rescue.
The bridge had earlier collapsed on April 30 after a heavy-duty articulated truck reportedly drove across the ageing structure, cutting off a major transport corridor linking Kwara State to Oyo State and routes leading toward the Benin Republic border.
Monday’s incident further compounded the hardship faced by commuters, especially as the temporary diversion earlier promised by the state government had yet to be completed.
Videos from the scene showed floodwaters overwhelming the collapsed section of the bridge as stranded motorists struggled to navigate the area.
Residents and road users expressed frustration over delays in emergency intervention works, warning that the situation could deteriorate further with the peak of the rainy season approaching.
A trader, identified simply as Kafayat, said the incident had already begun affecting economic activities in the area.
“This situation has disrupted business activities, delayed movement and increased transportation costs for both commuters and traders,” she said.
Some residents also questioned why a separate bridge project located close to the collapsed structure had remained abandoned for years despite the strategic importance of the route.
The development has heightened concerns among residents of communities around the Moro River axis, with fears that heavier rainfall expected in the coming months could worsen flooding in the area.
Following the bridge collapse in April, the Kwara State Government announced traffic diversion measures and pledged immediate intervention to reduce hardship for motorists.
The state Commissioner for Works, Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo, had said the government was collaborating with federal authorities to address the situation.
According to him, engineers had been mobilised to begin palliative works on alternative routes while construction continued on a new Moro Bridge located a few metres from the collapsed structure.
Despite the assurances, residents said the latest flooding has intensified public anxiety over commuter safety and the pace of government response.
The Moro Bridge, a colonial-era Bailey bridge, has long served as a vital crossing point connecting parts of Kwara and Oyo states, although it has undergone several rehabilitation efforts over the years due to recurring structural challenges.
