The Ogun State Government has issued a strong warning to drivers of articulated vehicles, urging them to immediately stop the dangerous practice of parking their trucks along roadsides. This directive specifically targets the busy Ogere axis of the crucial Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, a major artery known for its heavy traffic.
Safety Concerns Prompt Official Action
During an interactive meeting with key stakeholders held at the Ogere TRACE Divisional Command, the Acting Corps Commander of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Mr Elias Omonayajo, voiced serious concerns. He highlighted how the indiscriminate parking of heavy trucks on major highways within the state obstructs traffic and has been a direct contributor to numerous road accidents.
Omonayajo explicitly cautioned drivers against posing unnecessary risks to other road users through what he termed illegal parking. He emphasized that such actions severely hinder the free flow of vehicles and that the safety of lives and property must be the top priority for everyone on the road.
Stakeholders Demand Enforcement and Cooperation
The state's security advisers echoed these sentiments, expressing the government's dissatisfaction with the current situation. AIG Shola Subair (rtd), the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, and CP Edward Ajogun (rtd), the Consultant to the Governor on Security, jointly called for concrete measures.
They advocated for the establishment of a dedicated task force with the mandate to enforce traffic regulations strictly and apprehend drivers who flout the rules. The officials also urged all drivers to cooperate with TRACE officials to ensure smoother traffic and a significant reduction in crashes on the expressway.
Community Leader Pledges Compliance, Seeks Improvements
In response, the Seriki Awusawa of Ogere, Alhaji Abdullahi Abubakar, thanked the state government for the engagement. He assured the authorities that he would work to ensure drivers in his domain comply with traffic rules and make proper use of the government-provided designated parking lots.
However, Abubakar also made an appeal to the state government. He requested that palliative works be carried out within the existing garages to make them more accessible and usable for the large articulated vehicles.
The call for a collective approach was reinforced by other representatives at the meeting. The Onimeji of Imeji Kingdom, Oba Babatunde—represented by the Iyaloja of Tiwa New Town, Ogere, Chief Bunkuola Sonubi—alongside Mr Adenuga Ridwan representing Dangote Sugar, agreed that solving the challenge of illegal parking and highway obstruction requires shared responsibility from all parties.
The stakeholder meeting, held on 16 January 2026, included a broad spectrum of representatives. Attendees came from the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun, the Police, various road transport unions, manufacturing companies, and community leaders.
