In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, crossing major expressways on foot has become an alarming norm, with many residents choosing to ignore available pedestrian bridges despite the growing number of fatal accidents.

Pedestrian bridges are increasingly abandoned across various locations including Gwarinpa, Gwagwalada, Lugbe, Berger, NICON Junction, Wuye, Nyanya, and Mararaba (a Nasarawa State suburb bordering the FCT). Instead, many of these structures have been turned into makeshift markets or shelter for homeless individuals.

Tragically, this disregard for pedestrian infrastructure has led to several avoidable deaths. In April, a young man lost his life after being hit by a speeding vehicle at Berger Junction while attempting to cross the road without a bridge at that location. A similar incident occurred in early May at Galadimawa Junction, where another pedestrian was killed despite the presence of a nearby footbridge. Eyewitnesses say the driver involved in the latter case was visibly shaken and insisted he could not have anticipated anyone crossing the expressway.

Police officers at the scene used the tragedy to urge the public to make use of the available pedestrian bridges, highlighting their role in reducing road fatalities.

Despite the dangers, many residents cite the poor placement of pedestrian bridges as a reason for crossing expressways directly. In some areas, the bridges are reportedly located up to a kilometre away from bus stops, making their use impractical for those in a hurry.

Peter Adebayo, a Nyanya resident, described the act of crossing the highway as “open-source to death,” emphasizing the risk involved. He acknowledged, however, that the government’s failure to strategically place bridges contributes to the problem. “Even to trek from the bus stop to the bridge is another journey,” he said.

Ola Abiola, a resident of Kugbo, echoed similar sentiments. “Most pedestrian bridges in Abuja are not built at the right places,” he said, calling for stricter oversight in infrastructure planning.

While some residents admitted they cross roads due to time constraints, others, like Ngozi Nnanna, insisted that safety should take precedence over convenience. “Of what use are the bridges if they are ignored?” she asked.

A taxi driver, Ikechukwu Ubani, also noted that many pedestrians underestimate how quickly a vehicle can approach, often leading to deadly miscalculations.

To address the growing concern, the Uche Collins Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization, is seeking partnerships to raise awareness about the importance of using pedestrian bridges. “Many of these bridges are now seen as monuments rather than safety infrastructure,” the foundation stated.

Despite repeated efforts, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has remained silent on how it plans to enforce the use of pedestrian bridges or address the complaints over their poor placement.

As accidents continue and lives are lost, residents and stakeholders alike are calling for urgent action to improve pedestrian safety across the FCT.