Mayhem as trucks take over Mile 2–Wharf–Apapa Corridor; Customs, NPA, Police Look On

The Mile 2–Wharf–Apapa corridor in Lagos, Nigeria, has been brought to a standstill by hundreds of articulated trucks, causing immense disruption to commuters, residents, and businesses. The gridlock, extending from the Berger/Kirikiri axis towards Apapa, has stranded motorists for hours, forcing many to abandon their journeys or turn back. The standstill has effectively paralyzed commercial activities along this vital route.

Residents and road users attribute the escalating congestion to the proliferation of container terminals operating along the Berger/Kirikiri corridor. They allege that trucks transporting empty containers to these facilities have commandeered the road, creating an insurmountable bottleneck. Despite the persistent traffic chaos, relevant government agencies, including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigeria Customs Service, the Police, and various traffic management bodies, have been criticized for their failure to implement effective, long-term solutions.

A motorist, speaking anonymously, pointed to the terminals opposite the Catholic Church along the Berger/Kirikiri road as the primary cause of the traffic surge. "Before they came here, this road was free. Today, you have three different terminals receiving containers and all the trucks are heading there," the driver explained. Long queues of trucks waiting to access these terminals routinely occupy significant portions of the expressway, exacerbating the congestion that stretches for several kilometers.

Despite the regular deployment of officials from the Nigerian Navy, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the situation remains largely unchanged due to the sheer volume of trucks. Many affected individuals expressed deep disappointment with the Nigeria Customs Service, the NPA, and the Police, whose operations are intrinsically linked to the port corridor. Their perceived inaction leaves motorists and businesses to bear the brunt of this recurring crisis.