Many travellers and commuters were on Saturday stranded in Onitsha, Anambra State following the closure of the Asaba end of the Niger Bridge for several hours for the conduct of local government elections in Delta State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the Anambra State government had earlier warned travellers about the curfew imposed in Delta State, which started on Friday night.
However, travellers from within and outside the Anambra State who took chances were disappointed when they got to the Onitsha end of the bridge.
NAN further reports that the restriction order caused huge vehicular and human traffic on the ever busy Onitsha expressway.
Mrs Joy Egwuatu, a traveller from Awka to Lagos, expressed disappointment at the development, saying she was not aware of the elections and the public announcement.
“Such announcement should have been made several says before the elections rather than just one day pre-notice,” Egwuatu, who was returning after the Christmas and New Year celebrations, said.
Commenting on the development, Mr Sunday Ajayi, the Sector Commander pf the Federal Road Safety Corps, said the corps started to witness traffic as early as 6:00am on Saturday.
“You know, the road was shut down due to the election in Delta, like it was done during the governorship election of November 18, 2017 in Anambra.
“Due to pressure, we had to press for the reopening of the route before 3:00pm.
“As you can see now, we have controlled the traffic and the road is free now,” Ajayi said.
Meanwhile, an unconfirmed source said a pregnant woman travelling to Lagos suddenly went into labour during the long wait and was quickly attended to by other women.
The source said the woman was delivered of her baby during the emergency and was later taken to a hospital for proper attention. (NAN)
