Niger Bridge Closure: Police Orders Heightened Security Deployment to Secure Alternative Routes
~ As Onitsha suffers huge traffic over motorists seeking alternative routes
By Ifeizu Joe
The Anambra State Police Command, has ordered more deployment of police operatives to alternative routes to be used by travelers as a result of the closure of the First Niger Bridge.
The Federal Government has last weekend announced the closure of the bridge on Monday for repair works, to save it from collapse and also install CCTV to capture activities of vandals.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama who inspected the compliance of motorists to the closure and use of the diversionary routes said there was need for further deployment of operatives to watch the alternative routes.
The spokesperson of the command who spoke to journalists on this said the CP inspected the bridge alongside heads of other sister security agencies in the state.
He said: “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, psc, mnips, today, 7th September 2026, personally led heads of sister security agencies and other strategic security commanders on an on-the-spot assessment of the bridge, adjoining areas and identified diversionary routes.
“The assessment was aimed at identifying potential security, traffic and public-safety challenges arising from the closure and putting in place proactive measures to mitigate them.
“Consequently, the Command has deployed a Police-led Joint Security Team to strategic locations around the bridge, diversionary routes and other critical points to maintain security, support effective traffic management and prevent criminal elements from exploiting the situation.
“The deployment is specifically targeted at ensuring safe, orderly and unhindered movement of motorists, commuters and pedestrians, while preventing traffic obstruction, congestion, harassment, opportunistic criminality and other security breaches.”
He said the CP has further directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders within the affected areas to maintain heightened operational alertness, intensified patrols and sustained visibility, while ensuring seamless coordination with sister security agencies throughout the period of the maintenance works.
Meanwhile, THE RAZOR gathered that motorists seeking to use the bridge into or out of Onitsha today suffered several hours of traffic as a result of the closure.
Motorists who veered towards the industrial harbour area, hoping to connect the Second Niger Bridge to Asaba met disappointment as they locked horns with travellers from Asaba seeking to enter into Onitsha, causing a strong traffic gridlock.
