Badagry Residents Decry 37 Roadblocks Between Gbaji and Owode, Lament Extortion and Traffic Delays

By Peter Dansu  Residents, motorists, and business owners along the Gbaji–Owode corridor in Badagry West Local Council Development Area hav...

By Peter Dansu 

Residents, motorists, and business owners along the Gbaji–Owode corridor in Badagry West Local Council Development Area have voiced strong concerns over what they describe as the excessive presence of security checkpoints allegedly mounted by different agencies along the busy route.

According to several residents, there are as many as 37 roadblocks between Gbaji and Owode, a situation they say has made movement extremely difficult and crippled economic activities in the area. Many commuters also claim that the multiple stops have become breeding grounds for extortion and unnecessary delays.

“We spend hours covering short distances because every few metres, there’s another checkpoint. It’s affecting business, transportation, and even emergencies,” lamented one driver who plies the route daily.

Below is the list of alleged checkpoints along the Gbaji–Owode route as compiled by concerned residents:

1. Gbaji: Ports Health

2. Gbaji: Police (2 points)

3. Gbaji: Immigration

4. Gbaji: NDLEA

5. Gbaji: Quarantine

6. Gbaji: Customs (3 points)

7. Ganyingbo: Army – 343 Reece Battalion, Ibereko-Badagry

8. Afowo: Police

9. Ajanaku: Army – 343 Reece Battalion, Ibereko-Badagry

10. Ajanaku: Customs (2 points)

11. Apa: Police

12. Inogi: Mobile Police

13. Inogi: Police

14. Alashe / “Oba Aro”: Customs (2 points)

15. Sogbodile: Immigration

16. Sogbodile: Police

17. Sogbodile: Quarantine

18. Ropoji: Customs (2 points)

19. Ropoji: Police

20. Ahanve: 653 Nigerian Air Force Station (2 points)

21. Dado: Police – IG Point

22. Dado: Police

23. Irosu: Customs

24. Gedu / Aroko: Army – 343 Reece Battalion, Ibereko-Badagry

25. Gedu / Aroko: Anti-bomb Police

26. Gedu / Aroko: Customs (2 points)

27. Gedu: Mobile Police

28. Gedu: Police

29. Opposite Kweme EN: Army – 343 Reece Battalion, Ibereko-Badagry

Altogether, the route allegedly hosts around 37 checkpoints, including 12 manned by the Nigeria Customs Service and another 12 by the Police, alongside others from the Army, Immigration, NDLEA, Quarantine Service, and the Nigerian Air Force.

Residents say these overlapping operations have not only caused heavy traffic and frustration but have also discouraged trade and tourism within the area.

Transport unions and local leaders are now calling on the Federal Government and the Lagos State authorities to step in, streamline security presence, and restore free movement without compromising border safety.

Reacting to the complaints, the Comptroller of the Seme Area Command, Wale Adenuga, clarified that only two Customs checkpoints—at Agbara and Gbaji—are officially approved along the Badagry–Seme corridor.

He emphasized that any other Customs post or barrier outside these two or beyond designated patrol operations is unauthorized, adding that the Service is already working to reduce unnecessary roadblocks and strengthen inter-agency coordination to ensure the smooth flow of people and goods.

“The goal is to secure the border efficiently without subjecting citizens and traders to undue hardship,” Adenuga stated.

Residents, however, hope the clarification translates into swift action, as the congestion and frustration on the route continue to mount daily.

Credit: Citymood Badagry