Posted by Chinenye on Tue 19th May, 2026 - tori.ng
A critical section of the Ilorin-Igbeti Federal Highway in Kwara State has been thrown into chaos after a colonial-era Bailey bridge collapsed following the impact of a heavy truck, leaving commuters injured and the route severely compromised.
A colonial-era Bailey bridge on the Ilorin-Igbeti Federal Highway completely gave way on April 30, 2026, after a heavy truck drove over it.
The collapse left several commuters injured, though fortunately no lives were lost.
The situation was made significantly worse on May 18 when heavy rainfall caused the Moro River to flood, submerging vehicles in the area and forcing passengers to climb onto rooftops for safety.
The flooding also disrupted the movement of food produce from farms in Kwara State to markets, raising concerns about supply chain disruptions in the region.
The state government has since begun palliative repair works and initiated the construction of a new bridge nearby.
However, residents are still being compelled to make dangerous crossings in the meantime, and pressure is mounting on authorities to put a quick and reliable temporary solution in place while the longer-term work continues.