Collapsed bridge disrupts movement in Taraba leaving travellers stranded

Travelers from Jalingo to Wukari in Taraba State and those heading to southern Nigeria are facing major disruptions after a crucial bridge in the state collapsed following torrential rainfall on Thursday night. The bridge, which links Jalingo, the state capital, to Wukari and Benue State, was severely damaged by the floodwaters, leaving the road impassable.

The heavy rains, which began around 11 p.m. and continued until 5 a.m. on Friday, caused widespread flooding, overwhelming the bridge and leading to its collapse. As a result, travelers are now forced to take a much longer detour through Garba-Chede in Bali local government before they can reach Jalingo, causing significant delays and frustration.

Local community leader Nathaniel Ukule attributed the collapse to the sheer volume of water and called on authorities to urgently repair the bridge, stressing the severe impact on the region’s travelers. Commercial driver Ibrahim Sani, who was en route from Benue State, expressed his frustration, noting that the extended detour has led to increased fuel costs, eating into his earnings.

Both locals and travelers alike are pleading with the government to take swift action to restore the bridge and ease the suffering of road users in the region.