For millions of Lagos residents who depend daily on the Lagos Badagry Expressway, the coming months will demand patience, planning, and perhaps a deeper breath before every journey. The Mazamaza Bridge, a key link on that busy corridor, is set to undergo a lengthy maintenance programme that will stretch over four months. At the same time, the state government is stepping up enforcement against street gangs and roadside extortion that have become an everyday worry for motorists across the city. Together, both developments paint a familiar Lagos picture. A city constantly under construction, constantly fixing yesterday’s problems while preparing for tomorrow, and at the same time trying to keep disorder and insecurity in check. The Lagos State Government has confirmed that repair work on Mazamaza Bridge will begin on Monday, January 19, 2026. The exercise is expected to last for 18 weeks, running into late May. Officials insist the work is unavoidable and necessary, not just as routine maintenance, but as part of larger plans to eventually tear down and rebuild the bridge entirely.

Mazamaza Bridge sits along one of Lagos busiest transport routes, serving commuters heading between Badagry, Mile 2, and the wider metropolis. Over the years, the structure has carried heavy traffic well beyond what it was originally designed for. It now also stands in the way of another major ambition of the state government, the extension of the Blue Line rail from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko. According to the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the immediate task is to carry out repairs on critical parts of the bridge, especially its expansion joints and other structural components. These are parts that allow the bridge to flex slightly under load and temperature changes. When they weaken, the entire structure is put under strain.

The commissioner explained that the maintenance will affect both the Toll Lanes and the Service Lanes on both sides of the road. This means traffic heading towards Badagry and traffic heading into central Lagos will all feel the impact at different stages. However, Osiyemi stressed that the bridge will never be completely shut down at any point during the exercise. Instead, traffic will be redirected and managed through a combination of Toll Lanes, BRT corridors, and Service Lanes depending on which section is being worked on at the time. In practical terms, motorists should expect frequent lane changes, narrowed roads, and slower movement for much of the 18 week period. While officials have tried to design the diversion plan to reduce disruption, anyone familiar with Lagos traffic knows that even a small adjustment can have ripple effects across the city.

The work itself will follow a carefully phased schedule. Before full repairs begin, there will be a short preliminary period toward the end of January. During this time, engineers and traffic managers will prepare work zones, install signage, and observe traffic flow to fine tune diversion plans. Once this preparation phase ends, the main repairs will begin in earnest. The first major stretch of work will focus on lanes heading towards Badagry. Over several weeks, different sections of the inbound Badagry lanes will be partially closed and repaired. During some phases, traffic normally using the Toll Lane will be diverted to the BRT corridor. At other times, the arrangement will be reversed, with the Toll Lane absorbing traffic while work is carried out on the BRT side. Service Lanes will also be affected. In many cases, traffic on these lanes will be reduced to a single lane for a period before being restored once repairs are completed.

After the Badagry bound side is completed, attention will shift to lanes heading into Lagos. The same pattern will apply, alternating diversions between the BRT and Toll Lanes while Service Lanes are temporarily narrowed. By the end of May, all sections should be reopened fully, bringing the maintenance phase to a close. Throughout this period, the government is urging drivers to cooperate with traffic officials and obey road signs. Officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority will be deployed along the corridor to guide vehicles and manage congestion. Beyond the immediate inconvenience, the state government argues that the repairs are part of a much bigger picture. In December 2024, officials from the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority revealed that detailed structural assessments of Mazamaza Bridge had raised serious concerns.

According to the Director of Rail Transport at the authority, engineers found that the bridge in its current state does not have the strength required to safely carry rail infrastructure. This discovery forced the government to reconsider earlier plans and settle on a more drastic solution. The long term plan is to demolish the existing bridge and replace it entirely with a new structure designed specifically to accommodate both road traffic and rail operations. The proposed bridge will be built to international standards, supported by dozens of piers, and engineered to last for several decades. For now, the maintenance programme is meant to keep the bridge functional and safe until that full reconstruction can begin. Officials believe it is better to endure months of controlled disruption now than risk a sudden failure later. While road users prepare for this long stretch of adjustment, another aspect of city life is also drawing attention. In a separate development, the Lagos State Taskforce has intensified its operations against street gangs and roadside extortionists who prey on motorists and pedestrians.

Over the past week, taskforce operatives carried out coordinated raids across several parts of the state. By the end of the operation, a total of 281 suspects had been arrested. Many of them are described as street urchins or members of loosely organised groups that locals commonly refer to as Omotaku. These groups have become notorious for harassing drivers, intimidating passersby, and forcing people to hand over money under threat or pressure. Their presence is often felt at traffic junctions, bus stops, and congested roads where vehicles are forced to slow down.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed the arrests in a public update. He explained that the raids were carried out in response to repeated complaints from residents and motorists who feel unsafe or harassed on the roads. Areas covered during the operation included some of Lagos most prominent neighbourhoods and transport corridors. From Lekki Phase One and Ikoyi on the Island to Egbeda, Akowonjo, and Fadeyi on the Mainland, taskforce officers moved through known hotspots where these groups are often seen.

Other locations included major roads and junctions such as the Lekki Ajah Expressway, Victoria Island, Yaba, Ojuelegba, Surulere, and parts of Lagos Island. In many of these places, commuters have grown used to seeing young men approach cars aggressively or block roads while demanding money. According to Wahab, the arrests are part of a broader effort to reclaim public spaces and restore a sense of order on Lagos streets. He urged residents to remain vigilant and to report any incidents involving street harassment or extortion to the Taskforce. To support this, the state has provided dedicated phone lines that Lagosians can call for quick response whenever they encounter such nuisance. The commissioner emphasized that public cooperation is essential if the effort is to have lasting impact. For many residents, the timing of these developments is significant. Road construction and repairs often create the kind of traffic congestion that street gangs exploit. When vehicles are stuck or moving slowly, drivers become easy targets. As the Mazamaza Bridge repairs get underway, traffic buildup along the Lagos Badagry corridor is almost inevitable.

The government appears aware of this connection. By combining traffic management efforts with stronger enforcement against street crime, officials hope to reduce both frustration and insecurity during the long maintenance period. Still, skepticism remains. Lagosians have seen similar operations in the past, with bursts of enforcement followed by a gradual return of the same problems. Whether this latest crackdown will lead to lasting change is a question only time can answer.

What is certain is that the next few months will test the patience of commuters who rely on the Mazamaza Bridge and surrounding routes. Early morning departures may need to be earlier. Evening journeys may stretch longer. Drivers will have to pay closer attention to signs and instructions as lane arrangements shift from one phase to another. At the same time, residents are being reminded that they have a role to play, not just in obeying traffic rules, but in reporting criminal behaviour and supporting efforts to keep roads safe. Lagos has always been a city in motion, sometimes chaotic, often exhausting, but constantly evolving. The repairs on Mazamaza Bridge and the renewed push against street crime are just two more chapters in that ongoing story. For now, the message from the authorities is simple. Expect delays. Stay alert. Cooperate with officials. And hold on while the city works through another season of change.