Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Residents and traders in Abule Oko, Oke-Ayo, and Magboro are grappling with a worsening road crisis that has transformed a once-manageable route into a muddy, hazardous track, particularly during the rainy season. The road, which stretches from Abule Oko to Cele Bus Stop and connects areas such as Oke-Ayo, Igaun, and Makogi, has deteriorated significantly over the years, making movement difficult for commuters, motorists, traders, and residents alike.
Following a recent heavy rainfall, a NewsWatch Metro correspondent observed that the road became nearly impassable, forcing some residents to remove their footwear before accessing the market. A commercial motorcyclist, identified simply as Abubakar, told NewsWatch Metro that while community youths had once made efforts to patch the road, it has since deteriorated to a dangerous state. “When I first started working here, the road was not like this. Community youths fixed it, and the movement was easy. But now, the road has become completely bad, especially during this rainy season,” he lamented. Abubakar added that he had not witnessed any government intervention since he began working in the area.
The poor condition of the road has had severe consequences for public safety. Abubakar reported witnessing numerous accidents. “When cars try to avoid potholes or slippery sections, they lose control and hit motorcycles. I have seen people sustain serious injuries such as broken legs, broken arms and head wounds,” he said. A trader, Mummy Pemisire, recounted how a fish seller recently slipped, fell, and broke her arm while trying to access the market.
Traders at Abule Oko Market have also reported a sharp decline in economic activities due to the difficulty customers face in accessing the market. “This road is very important to us. If it is repaired, people will still come even when it rains,” a trader identified as Alamu said. He added that many traders have already left because of low patronage, while all the needed goods remain available in the area.
Another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the road had been deplorable for many years, with only temporary interventions such as occasional grading by the Community Development Association, which he described as ineffective. He further alleged that past rehabilitation efforts by two organisations were unsuccessful after a community leader reportedly demanded a financial settlement before work could commence.
When contacted, the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, defended the government’s efforts, stating that several roads within Magboro and adjoining communities had already been repaired. “We have done a lot of work in some corridors. Our people are still working, but we cannot fix all the roads at the same time. It is one step at a time,” he said.
The plight of the Abule Oko road is not isolated; it mirrors broader infrastructure challenges across Ogun State. In February 2025, residents of Ibafo decried the deplorable condition of the Asero–Eleweran–Osiele road, which has hindered economic activities for years. A hairdresser named Nancy lamented that bad roads had been submerged by floods, crippling her business. In September 2025, a resident of Loburo Road, Emeka, told PUNCH that his customers found it difficult to reach his shop. “Due to the bad road, I barely have customers; they find it difficult to come to my shop to eat. They would rather go somewhere else,” he said. Even communities in Imala have been impacted. In April 2026, community coordinator Steve Adetomiwa stated that the road, originally constructed by Awolowo, had deteriorated to a “death trap for travellers,” adversely affecting the community’s growth.
As the rainy season deepens, the condition of the Abule Oko road is expected to worsen, further endangering lives and crippling the local economy. While the state government has pointed to ongoing projects, the residents of these communities continue to struggle with roads that have become symbols of official neglect. For them, the question remains whether the government will act before more lives are lost or more livelihoods are destroyed.
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