Crater-Sized Potholes on Abuja-Keffi Expressway Worsen

Every morning and evening, thousands of Nigerians navigate the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, one of the busiest inter-state routes in the North-Central region. But right now, it feels more like navigating a minefield. 

The stretch between Mararaba and AYA has developed multiple crater-sized potholes, some as deep as 12 inches. Over the past week alone:

• Several vehicles have burst tyres or bent rims
• A motorcycle rider was thrown off after hitting a pothole at speed
• A mini-bus swerved to avoid a pothole and clipped a roadside vendor’s stall

Drivers Cry Out

Commercial driver Musa Ibrahim says:

“Every time it rains, these potholes disappear under water. Before you know it, you’ve hit one and your front tyre is gone. Nobody’s fixing it!”

Private car owners are also voicing anger, with many saying they now avoid the route after 6 PM for safety reasons.

Experts say the road surface is failing due to:

• Poor drainage allowing rainwater to collect and weaken asphalt
• Overloaded vehicles causing structural collapse
• Lack of preventive maintenance by relevant authorities

Potholes like these:

• Trigger lane swerves at high speed
• Cause rear-end collisions
• Endanger pedestrians and roadside traders
• Are often invisible at night or during rainstorms

RoadKing.ng Recommendation

Authorities need to act urgently by:

1. Conducting night-time cold-patch repairs

2. Installing temporary warning signs and reflectors

3. Launching a long-term rehabilitation plan (not just surface patching)

Location: Abuja-Keffi Expressway, Nasarawa Border Point

Time of Report: July 20, 2025, 4:50 PM

️ Road Status: Severely deteriorated

Incident Count This Week: 9 minor crashes, 2 major injuries