The Third Mainland Bridge, one of Nigeria’s three longest bridges, spans the lagoon, linking Lagos Island to the mainland. The 11.8-kilometer structure, constructed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, connects Iyana-Oworo on the mainland to Adeniji Adele on the island. Although the project’s first phase was inaugurated by President Shehu Shagari in 1980, it wasn’t fully completed until 1990 under military president Ibrahim Babangida.
The bridge experiences heavy traffic daily, especially during weekdays as residents commute to work and business activities. Despite its significance in easing transportation between the island and mainland, recent experiences shared by motorists have raised safety concerns. Particularly at night, drivers whose cars break down on the bridge report terrifying encounters.
Residents have recounted being accosted by street thugs who extort money from them. Motorists have shared on social media that these criminals often threaten to push them into the lagoon or harm them if they refuse to pay the demanded amounts.
The extortion, referred to as “owo daku” (money for car failure), is reportedly common, with car parts being removed or damaged if the thugs’ demands are not met. Unfortunately, this issue is not limited to the Third Mainland Bridge but is also prevalent along other routes like Gbagada-Iyana Oworo, Ojota, Ketu, Ikeja Along, Ogudu, and Palmgroove.
Lagos residents have narrated their terrifying experiences. Anthony Ojosipe, who works on the island, described a harrowing encounter in April when he was surrounded by thugs after merely parking his car on the bridge.
Similarly, Abiodun Oyebade shared his experience of being extorted by hoodlums on the bridge in 2022, paying N5,000 after a tense confrontation.
Content creator Solomon Abu recounted a near-miss where he was rescued by patrol officers just as thugs threatened to throw him into the water. On social media, users have expressed frustration, questioning the effectiveness of security on the bridge. Many victims allege that the thugs operate in collusion with law enforcement, as police officers often fail to intervene.
Several X users shared their ordeals, with some even recounting incidents involving thugs equipped with Point of Sale (POS) machines, forcing victims to part with large sums of money.
The lack of security and the alleged cooperation between thugs and law enforcement exacerbate these issues, leaving motorists feeling helpless.
Experts have attributed the rise in such incidents to unemployment and lack of proper youth engagement. Opeoluwa Taiwo, Executive Director of Bridge Africa Initiative, emphasized the need for vocational training and skill development to prevent youths from turning to crime.
Meanwhile, legal practitioner Samuel Akazza highlighted the systematic failure where criminals operate with impunity due to compromised law enforcement.
In response, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, downplayed the complaints, urging victims to report incidents to the police rather than relying on social media. However, victims argue that police presence is lacking on the bridge, with little to no assistance provided during their ordeals.
