The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State have deployed personnel to strategic locations across Onitsha and its environs ahead of the temporary closure of the First Niger Bridge.
The bridge is scheduled to be closed from September 7 to September 21, 2026, to allow emergency maintenance work to be carried out.
The development was contained in separate statements issued on Sunday by the Sector Public Education Officer of the FRSC, Anambra State Command, Margaret Onabe, and the Head of Media and Tactical Operations of the NSCDC, Anambra Command, Edwin Okadigbo.
The FRSC said the deployment was part of proactive measures being taken in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure effective traffic management, smooth vehicular movement and the safety of motorists and other road users throughout the two-week closure.
Onabe said the deployment followed a working visit and road audit conducted around the affected areas on Saturday by the Sector Commander, FRSC RS5.3 Anambra, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno.
She said the exercise was carried out alongside the Sector Head of Operations, Controller, Federal Ministry of Works, Anambra State Chapter, Emenike Timothy; his Delta State counterpart; and the Commander of the Anambra State Traffic Management Agency.
According to her, the road audit focused on major routes expected to handle increased traffic during the closure, while identifying areas requiring urgent intervention to minimise congestion and the risk of road crashes.
The FRSC advised motorists to use alternative routes connecting to the Second Niger Bridge.
The recommended routes include the Nkpor–Old Road–Obosi route, Onitsha–Owerri Road from Upper Iweka, and Atani Road through Uga Junction to Harbour Industrial Layout.
Asekhauno assured residents and motorists that the FRSC, working with traffic management agencies and other stakeholders in Anambra and Delta states, was prepared to manage traffic and respond swiftly to emergencies throughout the closure period.
She urged motorists to plan their journeys ahead, obey traffic rules and directives from traffic control personnel, avoid unnecessary parking or stopping along the affected routes, exercise patience and refrain from dangerous driving.
The FRSC also appealed to members of the public to cooperate with personnel deployed to strategic locations, stressing that compliance with traffic regulations would be crucial to ensuring smooth and safe movement during the closure.
Meanwhile, the NSCDC said it had concluded plans to deploy adequate personnel to the First Niger Bridge and adjoining areas ahead of the emergency maintenance works.
Okadigbo said tactical and regular personnel had been deployed to the bridge and surrounding locations in line with the Corps’ mandate to protect critical national, state and local government assets and infrastructure.
“Consistent with our statutory responsibility, we have mobilised armed and unarmed officers to provide 24-hour security for the engineers, equipment and the bridge infrastructure throughout the repair period. We are also working closely with other security agencies to ensure a hitch-free operation,” he said.
He urged residents and road users to remain patient and law-abiding throughout the maintenance period.
Okadigbo warned that anyone caught vandalising government property or obstructing the contractor handling the project would be arrested and prosecuted.
The First Niger Bridge is expected to remain closed for two weeks, with motorists advised to use designated alternative routes and cooperate with security and traffic management personnel.
