Tension gripped parts of Ondo State on Saturday as hundreds of angry youths shut down the Ikare–Agbaluku–Imo–Arigidi Akoko Federal Highway in protest over the deplorable condition of the road, which has been abandoned for nearly two decades.
The protest, which began at dawn, left scores of motorists and travelers stranded, with several forced to sleep in their vehicles as demonstrators blocked the major inter-state route using logs, burning tyres, and placards.
The 2.5km stretch is a vital corridor connecting Nigeria’s South-West to the North, frequently used by commuters heading to Kogi, Edo, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Protesters said the road’s worsening state has become a consistent cause of fatal accidents and a major setback to local trade and movement.
One of the protesters, simply Identified as Oluwaseun, said, “This road has become a death trap. Every week, lives are lost here. Just this morning, another vehicle somersaulted due to the bad portions. Enough is enough.”
Carrying signs with messages such as “Fix Our Roads Now” and “17 Years of Neglect is Wickedness,” the demonstrators accused successive governments of failing the region.
They called on Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Federal Government to immediately commence repairs on the highway.
A youth leader Tunde Adebayo, said, “We are tired of empty promises. We won’t allow any vehicle to pass until construction begins. We’re giving this protest seven days if no response comes.”
Residents and traders in Arigidi Akoko, Ikaram, and Ajowa communities say the decaying road has disrupted trade and limited access to essential services, leaving communities feeling isolated and neglected.
The ongoing protest has brought commercial activity in the area to a halt and raised concerns over the safety of commuters across the region.
As of press time, there was no official response from the state or federal authorities.
