Residents living along the Apapa-Oworonshoki Expressway corridor raised alarms over severely blocked drainage channels that left portions of the road submerged after even moderate rainfall. The standing water stretched for several hundred metres, forcing vehicles to slow to a crawl and creating hazards for motorists unfamiliar with the depth.
The situation had persisted for weeks, with community members alleging that periodic clearing exercises by the Lagos State government had been insufficient. Silt, plastic waste, and construction debris had accumulated to the point where the drainage channels were effectively non-functional in several sections.
Safety advocates warned that the standing water concealed potholes and road damage, increasing the risk of vehicle breakdowns and traffic accidents, particularly during evening hours when visibility was reduced.