Iwagba Bridge Collapse Cuts Off Several Communities in Ogbomoso North
Residents Seek Urgent Government Intervention as Students, Traders, Farmers Face Movement Crisis
Several communities in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of Oyo State have been thrown into uncertainty following the collapse of the Iwagba River Bridge, a critical link connecting Iwagba with neighbouring communities.
The bridge reportedly collapsed in the early hours of Tuesday, September 8, 2026, following a heavy downpour, disrupting vehicular and pedestrian movement along the vital route.
Communities reportedly affected by the development include Iwagba, Apake, Igbo Agboin, Mary Land and Pakistan. Access to Ori Oke Community High School and other adjoining areas has also been significantly disrupted.
The bridge had reportedly deteriorated over the years, with residents making repeated efforts to maintain and preserve the structure amid what they described as inadequate government intervention.
A community leader, Adewumi Adegbite, who disclosed the development to journalists, said residents had on several occasions drawn the attention of the local government authorities to the deteriorating condition of the bridge.
According to Adegbite, the former Chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government, Kabiru Ayoade, rehabilitated the bridge about four or five years ago, thereby restoring the important link and keeping it functional.
He, however, said the structure subsequently became severely weakened before finally giving way following the heavy rainfall on Tuesday.
Adegbite appealed to the Chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government, Hon. George Ogunlade, to urgently intervene and facilitate the repair of the bridge, stressing that its importance extends beyond Iwagba community.
He warned that the collapse could have serious consequences for residents, particularly students, traders, farmers, artisans and other people who rely on the route for their daily activities.
While acknowledging the ongoing rehabilitation of some township roads in Ogbomoso North and Ogbomoso South under the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, Adegbite urged the state government to provide greater financial support to local governments to enable them to respond more effectively to grassroots infrastructure challenges.
He also cautioned against a situation where communities are compelled to rely on political parties or election candidates to provide basic infrastructure that should ordinarily be delivered through government institutions.
With the Iwagba Bridge now impassable, residents have appealed for immediate government intervention to restore access and prevent the affected communities from becoming increasingly isolated.
They urged the relevant authorities to treat the situation as an emergency, particularly because of its implications for education, commerce, agriculture and the general socio-economic activities of residents in the affected areas.
