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 major link connecting the area with adjoining communities.
The bridge reportedly collapsed in the early hours of Tuesday, September 8, 2026, after a heavy downpour, disrupting movement across Iwagba, Apake, Igbo Agboin, Mary Land and Pakiotan, while also affecting access to Ori Oke Community High School and surrounding areas.
Residents said the bridge had deteriorated significantly over the years despite repeated efforts to draw government attention to its condition. Community leader, Adewumi Adegbite, said the structure was rehabilitated about four or five years ago by the former Chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government, Kabiru Ayoade, but later weakened and eventually gave way after Tuesday’s rainfall.
Adegbite appealed to the current council chairman, Hon. George Ogunlade, to urgently intervene, warning that the collapse could severely affect students, traders, farmers and other residents who rely on the route for their daily activities.
While commending the ongoing rehabilitation of township roads in Ogbomoso North and South under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, he called for stronger financial support for local governments to enable them address critical grassroots infrastructure challenges.
He also cautioned against a situation where communities are forced to rely on political parties or election candidates for interventions that should ordinarily be provided through government.
With the bridge now impassable, residents are urging the local government and relevant authorities to act swiftly to restore the vital link and prevent the affected communities from being cut off for an extended period.
