The 2.5km Ikare–Agbaluku–Imo–Arigidi-Ikaram Akoko Road in Ondo State, a key route linking Nigeria’s Western and Northern regions, has remained abandoned for over 15 years, sparking fresh outrage on Saturday morning after another road accident occurred.
Many passengers and motorists travelling to Lagos and Abuja were stranded for many hours.
Angered by the recurring tragedies, youths in their hundreds stormed the highway at dawn, blocking it with sticks, tires, and placards.
They vowed that motorists would no longer be allowed to ply the road until urgent action was taken.
“This road has become a death trap. Every week, we lose people here. This morning, another vehicle somersaulted because of the bad portions. Enough is enough,” said one of the protesters, who identified himself as Oluwaseun.
Chanting solidarity songs and waving placards, the protesters directly called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Federal Government to immediately intervene.
“Aiyedatiwa, fix our road! We are tired of empty promises. Fifteen years of abandonment is wickedness,” shouted another youth leader, Tunde Adebayo, during the protest.
Residents say the dilapidated condition of the road has crippled domestic trade between Ondo and neighboring states, while increasing the risk of fatal accidents.
Motorists and travelers are stranded as Youths in Arigidi Akoko in Ondo State have taken to the street to protest the dilapidated portion of the Arigidi-Ikaram-Ajowa road that has been abandoned for over 17 years.
Travelers patronize this road to access Kogi state, Edo state and the Federal Capital territory, Abuja.
The protest, according to the planners is expected to be sustained for 7 days.
