FRSC, NSCDC Deploy Personnel Ahead Of First Niger Bridge Closure

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have deployed personnel to strategic locations in Onitsha and its environs ahead of the temporary closure of the First Niger Bridge.

The bridge is scheduled to be closed from Monday, September 7, to September 21, 2026, to allow emergency maintenance works to be carried out.

The deployment, announced separately by the Anambra State commands of the two agencies on Sunday, is aimed at managing traffic, maintaining security and ensuring the safety of motorists and other road users during the two-week closure.

According to the FRSC, the exercise followed a road audit conducted around Onitsha on Saturday by the Sector Commander, FRSC RS5.3 Anambra, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, in collaboration with officials of the Federal Ministry of Works and the Anambra State Traffic Management Agency.

The audit assessed major routes expected to accommodate traffic during the closure and identified areas requiring urgent attention to ease vehicular movement and reduce the risk of crashes.

The FRSC advised motorists to use alternative routes connecting to the Second Niger Bridge, including the Nkpor–Old Road–Obosi route, Onitsha–Owerri Road from Upper Iweka, and Atani Road through Uga Junction to Harbour Industrial Layout.

The Corps urged motorists to plan their journeys ahead, obey traffic regulations and instructions from traffic officials, avoid unnecessary parking and stopping along the affected routes, and exercise patience throughout the period.

It also assured road users that it would work with other traffic management agencies and relevant stakeholders in Anambra and Delta states to manage traffic effectively and respond promptly to emergencies.

Meanwhile, the NSCDC said it had deployed tactical and regular personnel to the bridge and adjoining areas to provide security throughout the maintenance period.

The command’s Head of Media and Tactical Operations, Edwin Okadigbo, said armed and unarmed officers had been mobilised to provide round-the-clock security for the engineers, equipment and bridge infrastructure.

He added that the NSCDC was collaborating with other security agencies to ensure that the maintenance exercise was completed without disruption.

The command urged residents and motorists to remain patient and law-abiding, warning that anyone found vandalising government property or obstructing the contractor would be arrested and prosecuted.