BRIDGE COLLAPSE CUTS OFF BUSY KUJE–GWAGWALADA LINK ROAD, STRANDS HUNDREDS IN FCT

Hundreds of travellers and residents were stranded on Tuesday following the collapse of a critical bridge at Chukuku village, effectively cutting off the busy Kuje–Gwagwalada link road. The collapse occurred after a heavy downpour that lasted for several hours, causing the structural failure that severed the primary link between the two major area councils in the Federal Capital Territory.

Although no casualties were reported, movement was severely disrupted, affecting commercial and economic activities in the area. Many travellers were seen offloading goods and attempting to navigate the terrain on foot, while others remained stuck in their vehicles, hoping for a temporary solution.

Local residents reported that the volume of water from the rain overwhelmed the bridge’s capacity, leading to the eventual washout of the road section. One resident described the impact on daily life, stating, “Movement is severely disrupted. This is a major blow to our daily business. Farmers cannot get to the market, and people heading to work in Gwagwalada or town were completely blocked and had to turn back to use the longer route.”

The resident also noted that a reprieve had emerged, saying, “However, there is now a reprieve as the company has provided an alternative route.”

The Kuje–Gwagwalada axis is a vital artery for the movement of agricultural produce and commercial goods. The bridge collapse has highlighted the vulnerability of key infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory to heavy rainfall, with residents and commuters now relying on alternative routes while awaiting a more permanent solution.