Hundreds of motorists and passengers were left stranded on Thursday after heavy rainfall flooded a section of the Ore-Benin stretch of the Lagos-Benin Expressway, causing massive traffic gridlock and disrupting movement along one of Nigeria’s busiest highways.
The flooding, which submerged part of the highway, forced motorists to slow down or stop completely as they cautiously navigated the waterlogged road to avoid accidents and damage to their vehicles. The resulting congestion left many commuters trapped for hours.
Videos circulating from the scene showed frustrated passengers gathered along the roadside, waiting for the floodwaters to recede before continuing their journeys. Several commuters lamented what they described as the recurring flooding of the highway whenever prolonged rainfall occurs.
One of the affected motorists, identified simply as Henry, described the experience as traumatic and urged the government to take urgent steps to end the persistent flooding.
He appealed to the relevant authorities to permanently address the problem before it results in more devastating consequences for road users.
The latest flooding has once again highlighted the vulnerability of the Ore axis during the rainy season, as heavy downpours continue to overwhelm existing drainage infrastructure, leaving critical sections of the highway submerged and impassable.
The Ore-Benin section of the Lagos-Benin Expressway is one of Nigeria’s most strategic transport corridors, linking Lagos, Ondo and other South-West states with Edo, the South-South and the South-East. The highway serves as a major route for the movement of passengers, commercial goods and petroleum products, making any disruption a significant setback to travel and economic activities.
