Hundreds Stranded as Makeshift Bridge Collapses at Namnai in Taraba State

 

Hundreds of passengers and motorists were left stranded on Thursday after a temporary bridge at the site of the collapsed Namnai Bridge in Taraba State gave way, following heavy rainfall that caused the River Namnai to overflow its banks.

The incident occurred along the busy Jalingo-Wukari Trunk A Federal Highway in Gassol Local Government Area. The original Namnai Bridge collapsed about two years ago and has yet to be fully reconstructed, forcing travellers to rely on a makeshift crossing constructed by a private individual.

This temporary structure, which charged between ₦3,000 and ₦20,000 per vehicle, had become a lifeline for hundreds of vehicles, including trucks, daily. However, the heavy downpour on Wednesday night washed it away, leaving the river impassable due to high water levels.

Eyewitnesses and drivers at the scene described chaos, with vehicles parked on both sides of the riverbank. Passengers were forced to cross the swollen river on foot or with assistance from local youths, before boarding other vehicles on the opposite side to continue their journeys.

A commercial driver, Musa Adamu, told reporters that many travellers had no choice but to abandon their original vehicles and make alternative arrangements, causing significant delays and hardship.

In a similar account, commercial drivers reported returning to Jalingo with empty buses, while some passengers were carried across the river on the backs of local youths for a small fee. The youths, led by figures like Mr. Iliasu Namnai, stepped in to help while urging the state government to address the long-standing issue.

Reconstruction work on the permanent bridge, awarded three months ago by the North East Development Commission (NEDC), is reportedly ongoing but progressing slowly. The commission had assured completion by December this year. The state government had also awarded a separate ₦19 billion contract for the project, and Governor Agbu Kefas had previously visited the site promising an alternative route—though that did not materialise before the latest collapse.

This latest incident highlights the recurring dangers faced by commuters on this critical route, which links Taraba to southern parts of Nigeria. Residents and travellers have repeatedly called for urgent intervention to prevent further disruptions and potential loss of lives during the rainy season.

Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on immediate measures to restore passage or accelerate reconstruction.

The commission had earlier assured that the project would be completed by December this year.