Residents of Adum-Oye community in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State are appealing for urgent intervention over a dangerous bamboo bridge across the Ọtọ River, which they say has become a major threat to lives and has disrupted access to education, healthcare and markets.
The makeshift bridge, constructed from bamboo stalks tied together with local ropes, provides the main crossing for residents travelling to the other side of the river, where the community’s only hospital, secondary school and nearby market are located.
The condition of the bridge was highlighted on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, when Odehe Andrew Agbo, a 54-year-old member of the community, fell from the structure into the river and sustained serious injuries.
Images obtained by SaharaReporters showed Agbo with a heavily swollen and gashed foot and a bandaged head following the incident.
Birji
Speaking to SaharaReporters, Agburu Sunday Eje, a member of the community, said the dangerous crossing had become an annual ordeal, particularly during the rainy season.
“From this September till this River dries up or recedes, our children will not attend school again,” Eje said.
“If you go to my community right now as I am speaking with you, they have stopped schooling till dry season. And this is what our children are passing through every year.”
According to Eje, residents have little choice but to use the bridge because essential services, including healthcare, education and trading facilities, are located across the river.
He said children, traders and parents carrying goods are among those forced to use the unstable structure despite the risks.
The community has also recorded fatalities on the crossing.
Eje recalled the death of a teacher identified as Otor Igo, who he said was about 58 years old when he fell from the same bridge and drowned.
“He could not be rescued because nobody was around,” Eje said.
The latest accident involving Agbo has further heightened concerns among residents.
Eje said he rushed to the community after receiving a call that his uncle had fallen from the bridge.
However, he said the journey back exposed him to another danger caused by the area’s poor infrastructure.
“I had an accident on the way because of the bad road. I have a knee dislocation and minor injuries,” Eje told SaharaReporters.
Residents say the combination of the unsafe bridge and poor roads has left the community increasingly isolated and vulnerable.
They are calling on the Benue State Government, federal authorities, non-governmental organisations, philanthropists and other well-meaning individuals to intervene by providing a safe and permanent bridge across the Ọtọ River.
For the residents, they say such an intervention would not only prevent further deaths and injuries but also enable children to attend school throughout the year and improve access to healthcare and markets.
Without urgent intervention, the community fears that the dangerous crossing will continue to claim lives and deprive residents of basic opportunities.
