Karimi Seeks Urgent Intervention On Dilapidated Kogi-Kwara Road

Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Steve Karimi, has begun moves to secure urgent intervention for the severely deteriorated Omu-Aran–Obbo-Ille–Eruku–Egbe road linking Kogi State with Kwara State and the South-West.

The federal road, which serves as a major connection between communities in Yagba area of Kogi State and Kwara, has reportedly deteriorated to the extent that motorists now spend several hours navigating sections that previously took only a few hours to traverse.

The 143-kilometre stretch from Egbe in Kogi State to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, is said to have deteriorated significantly following years of neglect. The situation has reportedly worsened during the rainy season, forcing motorists to use difficult alternative routes through forested areas.

Beyond the hardship faced by commuters, the poor condition of the road has also raised serious security concerns, with travellers reportedly exposed to attacks, kidnapping and other criminal activities along some sections.

One of the incidents involved a commercial driver, Mayowa Olumuyiwa, whose vehicle, loaded with cashew products, was reportedly attacked by gunmen along the Egbe–Eruku axis. Olumuyiwa and his assistant escaped into the bush after manoeuvring the vehicle away from the attackers, but the assailants later set the vehicle and its contents ablaze.

The security situation along the route has also resulted in casualties. Nine passengers travelling towards Ilorin were reportedly abducted in an attack in October 2025, while three police officers and two vigilantes were killed during an attack in September of the same year.

Although the establishment of a military Forward Operating Base around the Egbe-Eruku boundary has helped to prevent further escalation of insecurity in some areas, attacks on travellers have reportedly continued.

Concerned about the situation, Karimi said he had engaged the Minister of Works, David Umahi, officials of the Federal Ministry of Works and Controllers of Works in both Kogi and Kwara States over the deteriorating condition of the road.

He also disclosed that he had opened discussions with the management of cement companies operating in and around Kogi West, including Mangal Cement, Dangote Cement and BUA Cement, seeking their assistance in providing immediate palliative measures on the worst sections of the road.

Karimi said the heavy movement of commercial trucks belonging to cement manufacturers had contributed to the deterioration of the route, making collaboration with the companies necessary to provide temporary relief while broader rehabilitation efforts are pursued.

“Over the last three weeks, I have been following up with the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, and other relevant officials in the Ministry, and the Controllers of Works for the Kwara and Kogi State on the condition of this road,” Karimi said.

He added that he spoke with Umahi again on Sunday and also engaged the Managing Director of Mangal Industries Ltd, Fahad Dahiru Mangal, on the possibility of providing palliative works on the worst sections.

According to the senator, Mangal Cement had indicated its willingness to examine the request, while he was also making efforts to secure support from Dangote and BUA to reduce the hardship faced by commuters.

“I am just as concerned as everyone who plies the road, and I will continue to put in more effort and lobby relevant stakeholders to ensure relief is brought to our people,” he said.

Karimi further disclosed that he had contacted officials within the Office of the National Security Adviser on measures to improve security along the route.

He said Mangal Industries had informed him that the company had prioritised the commitment of N50 million monthly towards maintaining access roads within and outside Ilu-Hagba, its host community.

Meanwhile, rehabilitation work is reportedly ongoing on another section of the Kabba–Egbe–Ilorin Road, particularly the Ejiba–Isanlu stretch in Kogi State.

The project, being executed by a Chinese construction firm, CGC, under the Federal Ministry of Works, is funded through SUKUK VI and has been linked to efforts facilitated by Senator Karimi.

However, concerns remain over the condition of the Kwara axis of the road, with stakeholders calling for greater attention to the Ilorin–Omu-Aran–Obbo-Ille–Eruku section.

The entire Ilorin–Omu-Aran–Egbe–Kabba corridor has reportedly suffered prolonged deterioration, despite previous contract awards and rehabilitation proposals.

Residents and road users are therefore urging the Federal Government and relevant authorities to urgently address the failed sections, warning that continued neglect could further worsen insecurity, disrupt commercial activities and isolate communities in the affected areas.