The Nasarawa–Oweto-Otukpo Road in Benue State has suffered severe structural failure just three years after former President Muhammadu Buhari put it into service at a cost of N38 billion.
Large portions of the Nasarawa–Oweto-Otukpo road road have crumbled and are now impassable, according to sources.
The route, which connects Benue State to the eastern region of the nation and runs via Nasarawa, Oweto, Agatu, and Otukpo, was designed as a key alternative corridor to shorten travel times, increase trade, and open up rural areas.
Join our WhatsApp community
It is now substantially deteriorated, abandoned, and mostly avoided by drivers.
Some sections are totally impassable several failed areas where the roadway had deep channels formed by erosion , while others require drivers to veer into adjacent woods to avoid collapsing sections.
Concerns regarding drainage design and implementation were raised by the discovery of numerous culverts that were either exposed or broken.
Kidnappings and attacks drive motorists away
In addition to structural collapse, the Nasarawa–Oweto-Otukpo Road road’s abandonment has been significantly influenced by armed attacks and frequent kidnappings along nearby corridors.
Six passengers were allegedly kidnapped by gunmen along the Ogobia–Adoka road in November 2025.
Security sources have confirmed the existence of criminal hideouts in neighbouring forested areas, and there have also been several reports of ambushes along the highways connecting Otukpo, Agatu, Adoka, and Ogobia.
Regular use and maintenance of the road are now practically impossible due to the fear these tragedies have induced in drivers, transportation unions, and even maintenance staff.
Join our WhatsApp community
Silence of contractors, federal authorities
Although the Federal Ministry of Works and the contractors involved have not provided a thorough public explanation, the Otukpo–Oweto Road is under federal supervision.
Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) Nigeria Limited, an Israeli company, was principally responsible for building the Loko-Oweto Bridge and the related Oweto-Otukpo road network. The project was awarded in November 2011 and connects the states of Nasarawa and Benue by over the River Benue.
Numerous calls to the contractors’ head office were unanswered, making attempts to contact them for comment fruitless.
Similarly, several efforts to get comments from Engr. Agbasi, Managing Director/CEO Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) were fruitless.
For residents of Benue South, the collapse of the Otukpo–Oweto road has become a stark reminder of failed infrastructure planning and weak accountability.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
