Chevron Toll Gate Gridlock Leaves Commuters Stranded, Trekking to Work
Atume Terfa
A massive traffic gridlock crippled movement along the Lekki–Epe Expressway on Wednesday morning, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and many trekking long distances to work.
The standstill, which began around 6:45 a.m., started at the Toll Gate before the Chevron Bus Stop stretched through Igbo Efon, Jakande, and other parts of Lekki. By 10:06 a.m., the traffic had shown no sign of easing, as vehicles moved at a snail’s pace in what commuters described as one of the worst rush-hour jams in recent weeks.
Eyewitnesses painted a picture of total gridlock — vehicles honking endlessly, passengers frustrated, and commercial buses trapped with no room to maneuver. The expressway, usually bustling with activity, was reduced to a long stretch of unmoving vehicles under the morning sun.
At major bus stops between Chevron and Jakande, large crowds of commuters were seen waiting helplessly for buses that never came. Many eventually gave up and began walking, determined to beat the clock and get to their workplaces on time.
“I’ve been waiting here since 7 a.m., and not one bus has stopped,” said Ada, a commuter at Igbo Efon. “After almost two hours, I just decided to trek. I can’t keep waiting.”
The ripple effect of the gridlock extended into nearby residential estates and business areas, delaying workers, students, and even emergency vehicles struggling to navigate through the congestion.
While the exact cause of the traffic jam was unclear as of press time, many commuters blamed the recurring bottleneck around the Lekki Toll Gate, worsened by poor traffic control and the morning rush-hour surge.
By mid-morning, traffic officers were spotted attempting to ease the flow, but their efforts had little effect as the congestion persisted.
As of 10 a.m., movement remained painfully slow, leaving residents frustrated and weary. Once again, the Lekki–Epe corridor lived up to its reputation as one of Lagos’ most congested routes — a daily ordeal that has turned commuting into a test of patience and endurance.
