Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Motorists and travellers have reportedly been left stranded after a severely damaged section of the Benin-Auchi Expressway between Iruekpen and Ekpoma became blocked, causing a growing traffic gridlock and forcing some passengers to continue parts of their journeys on foot or by commercial motorcycles.
The situation was reported on Saturday, 5 September 2026, along the strategic Iruekpen-Ekpoma corridor in Edo State, where travellers said traffic had been building since Friday because vehicles were struggling to pass through a badly damaged portion of the Benin-Auchi Expressway. There was no immediate official confirmation from road authorities on the full extent of the blockage, but the reports have raised fresh concerns over the condition of one of the country's important transport corridors.
According to accounts from travellers and residents, the affected portion of the road had become extremely difficult for vehicles to navigate, resulting in long queues that continued to grow as more motorists approached the area.
Some travellers were reportedly forced to leave their vehicles and walk towards accessible points in an attempt to continue their journeys. Others were said to have turned to commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, to bypass sections affected by the traffic.
The development has created serious difficulties for people travelling towards Benin City and those moving in the opposite direction towards Ekpoma, Auchi and other parts of northern Nigeria.
The Benin-Auchi Road is a major transportation route connecting Edo State with communities across the North-Central and northern parts of the country. It is heavily used by commercial buses, private vehicles and heavy-duty trucks transporting goods between different regions.
Any major disruption along the highway can therefore have consequences beyond the immediate communities surrounding the affected section.
Motorists using the road have been advised to prepare for significant delays and, where possible, seek reliable information about road conditions before beginning their journeys.
The reported gridlock comes amid continuing concerns about the condition of several major federal roads in Edo State.
In June, commuters and transport operators told Premium Times that although some sections of the Benin-Auchi route had improved, several failed portions continued to force motorists to slow down significantly. Drivers also warned that prolonged delays could expose travellers to security risks, particularly in isolated areas and at night.
The Iruekpen and Ekpoma areas have experienced road infrastructure problems for years, with motorists repeatedly complaining about failed portions of the Benin-Auchi-Lokoja corridor.
The challenges are not entirely new. Successive governments have announced rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts along sections of the highway, but road users have continued to report difficulties navigating some portions.
In October 2025, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, inspected several federal roads in Edo State, including the Ekpoma stretch of the Benin-Auchi-Lokoja Expressway. The Federal Ministry of Information said the officials expressed concern over the condition of critical roads in the state.
More recently, a civic technology organisation, MonITNG, raised concerns in August 2026 about reported deterioration on sections of a road around Ekpoma and Esan West Local Government Area. The organisation questioned why parts of the route were allegedly showing signs of failure shortly after construction work.
The latest reported blockage between Iruekpen and Ekpoma is likely to renew pressure on authorities to provide a lasting solution to the problems affecting the Benin-Auchi corridor.
For travellers caught in the traffic, however, the immediate concern is the difficulty of reaching their destinations.
Long periods spent in traffic can cause passengers to miss appointments and business engagements, while commercial drivers may face increased fuel costs and delays in transporting goods.
Heavy-duty vehicles can also worsen congestion when they become trapped on severely damaged roads, particularly where there is insufficient space for other motorists to manoeuvre around them.
The reported decision by some passengers to leave vehicles and continue their journeys on foot illustrates the level of frustration associated with prolonged road blockages.
Commercial motorcycles can provide an alternative means of transportation in some circumstances, but they may not be suitable or safe for all passengers, particularly those travelling with significant amounts of luggage, children or elderly relatives.
There is also a broader security concern whenever travellers are forced to remain stranded on isolated stretches of highway for extended periods.
Commuters and transport operators have previously warned that severely damaged roads can create opportunities for criminal activity because vehicles are forced to slow down or remain stationary for long periods.
A commercial driver on the Benin-Auchi route told Premium Times earlier this year that failed portions of the road had created anxiety among passengers because vehicles were sometimes forced to crawl through damaged sections.
However, there is no indication at present that the reported gridlock between Iruekpen and Ekpoma has resulted in any security incident.
The problem comes shortly after motorists in other parts of Edo State endured days of severe traffic disruption caused by failed portions of the Benin-Agbor Road.
In August, the situation along that highway became so serious that some travellers reportedly spent many hours stranded in traffic, prompting a public intervention by the Federal Government. Minister of Works David Umahi subsequently criticised the handling of the road project and ordered measures aimed at restoring movement along the route.
Remedial work on sections of the Benin-Agbor Road had begun to ease traffic by early September, although motorists continued to face difficulties because some portions remained badly damaged.
The difficulties experienced on different highways in and around Edo State have highlighted wider concerns about the maintenance of major federal roads.
Road infrastructure is particularly important to the state's economy because Edo serves as a major transport link between southern Nigeria and several northern and central states.
A prolonged blockage on a strategic route can disrupt the movement of agricultural products, manufactured goods and other commercial supplies.
Transport operators may also be forced to seek alternative routes, increasing the distance and cost of journeys.
As of Saturday, there had been no publicly available statement from the Federal Ministry of Works or the relevant authorities specifically confirming the reported complete blockage of the Iruekpen-Ekpoma section or announcing when the affected portion would be repaired.
This makes it difficult to independently establish the precise length of the traffic queue or the number of vehicles and passengers affected.
Nevertheless, accounts from the area indicate that motorists travelling through the corridor should expect significant disruption.
Travellers heading towards Benin City through the expressway are being advised to plan their movements carefully, allow additional time for their journeys and monitor reliable local information about the road's condition.
Those already approaching the affected area may face delays until traffic begins to move or authorities intervene to improve access through the damaged section.
The reported gridlock is another reminder of the consequences of deteriorating road infrastructure for ordinary Nigerians, particularly those who depend on major highways for work, trade and long-distance travel.
For now, travellers along the Iruekpen-Ekpoma section of the Benin-Auchi Expressway remain confronted with an uncertain journey, long traffic queues and a badly damaged road that has reportedly brought movement along part of the strategic highway to a near standstill.
Further information is expected from relevant road and government authorities as the situation develops.
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