Nwafor Okafor

How security operatives delay travellers at Niger Bridge - Chima

Security operatives reportedly delay travellers to the South-East for over six hours at the Onitsha/ Asaba axis of the Niger Bridge.
This has caused excruciating pains to the people of the area as some of them had to sleep over during such journeys.
Reacting to the development, Chima Christian, a good governance advocate and a public affairs analyst called for the temporary withdrawal of security resources compounding traffic situation at the Niger Bridge.


He made the call on Sunday while reacting to the numerous complaints of traffic congestion at the bridge.


He said," As more and more people pour into the southeast for the Christmas and new year celebrations, the governments of Delta and Anambra States have been called upon to temporarily withdraw the services of security operatives deployed on “stop and search” operations at both ends of the Niger Bridge.



According to him, “complaints of the traffic situation at the Niger Bridge is so deafening. One writer said he spent 6 hours driving from Lagos to Delta State, and then 5 hours from Asaba to Onitsha.”

Chima said the already messy traffic situation was compounded by the presence of security operatives deployed on “stop and search operations” at the two ends of the Niger Bridge.

He added,“As more people pour into the southeast for Christmas and new year celebrations, I implore the Governments of Anambra and Delta states to work with relevant authorities to temporarily withdraw the services of those uniformed men and women at the Niger Bridge.

“If the multiple security checkpoints between road users' different points of origin to the southeast did not flag them as criminals or offenders of any known law, I'm not exactly sure what miracles those security deployments at the Niger Bridge are expected to perform. Except if the idea is to cause nuisance and increase the sufferings of road users.”

“I hereby respectfully call on Governors Okowa and Obiano to rise to the occasion, temporarily withdraw “stop and search” security operatives deployed at both ends of the Niger Bridge, and make access to the bridge a bit freer this festive season” Chima concluded