A major bridge linking Kano State with parts of central and eastern Nigeria has collapsed following heavy rainfall, police said on Sunday, warning motorists to avoid the area.
The Kano State Police Command said the Yaryasa Bridge in Tudun Wada Local Government Area, which connects Kano to Kaduna, Plateau, Benue and other eastern states, gave way after days of downpour.
“The Yaryasa Bridge in Tudun Wada Local Government Area has collapsed due to heavy rainfall. This bridge serves as a critical link between Kano State and other states, including Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, and the eastern part of the country,” police spokesman Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa said in a statement.
Police said they had cordoned off the collapsed section and deployed officers to redirect traffic. “Barricades, detours, and warning signage have been set up to redirect traffic and alert motorists to the hazard,” the statement said.
Personnel from the Motor Traffic Division, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Road and Traffic Agency (KAROTA), and the Transport Union are also on the ground to manage diversions.
Motorists were urged to take alternative routes. “Road users traveling towards Tudun Wada and beyond are advised to cooperate with traffic officers and follow the designated alternative routes to avoid any risks to life and property,” the police said.
Kano State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori appealed for calm. “We urge all road users to exercise patience, adhere to traffic guidelines, and prioritize safety while navigating through affected areas,” he said, adding that the Command was working with other agencies “to mitigate the impact of the situation.”