The Koka Flyover in Asaba, Delta State, is currently facing significant challenges as its underbelly has transformed into a makeshift residence for numerous individuals. While the structure was designed to improve traffic flow and enhance the city’s appearance, the space beneath the bridge is now occupied by migrants and laborers who sleep there nightly.
Local traders report that the number of people sheltering under the bridge has risen sharply since March. The area has become associated with poor sanitation, including clogged drainage and unpleasant odors. More importantly, the site has sparked serious security concerns among residents and local organizations.
The Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by Chairman Churchill Oyowe, has publicly cautioned that the presence of undocumented migrants in such a high-traffic area poses threats to public infrastructure and regional security. The union is urging the state government and relevant agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, to improve migration monitoring and implement clearer strategies for managing undocumented individuals.
The Forum of Delta State NGOs has also demanded intervention from the state government, suggesting that the Environmental Task Force should clear the area to mitigate health and security risks. Despite these mounting calls for action, the Delta State government has yet to provide an official response. Asaba authorities now face the difficult task of balancing human rights and social policy against the need to protect public infrastructure from further degradation.
