The expatriate involved in the tragic incident at the under-construction Aleto-Eleme Bridge on the East-West Road has been confirmed dead. The victim’s car, which plunged into the river on Monday night after an ambush by suspected kidnappers, was recovered along with his lifeless body.
Witnesses reported that the vehicle and its occupant remained submerged for hours as other occupants of the vehicle were able to swim to safety. Divers and marine police launched intensive rescue efforts. Unfortunately, the rescue mission ended in tragedy, adding to the growing list of fatalities attributed to the unsafe conditions at the Aleto Bridge.
The bridge, a critical link for Eleme Local Government Area—a hub for multinational companies and industries—has long been a symbol of neglect. Years of delay in its completion have exposed commuters to relentless security threats, with incidents of violence and kidnappings escalating alarmingly.
In response to the incident, Eleme LGA Chairman Chief Hon. Brain Emere Gokpa and other key stakeholders, including Rt. Hon. Gberewa Sanwi, Chief Hon. John Osaronu, Hon. Comr. Noble Obari Nwolu, and Eleme Youth Leader Comr. Walter Ejire Olaka, mobilized resources to support rescue operations. Community leaders and youth groups have also rallied to assist with maintaining order and providing aid where possible.
This heartbreaking loss has reignited public outcry for immediate federal intervention. Residents and stakeholders are demanding the prompt completion of the Aleto Bridge and robust security measures to safeguard commuters and protect vital infrastructure.
The incident reignites the urgent need for decisive action to prevent further tragedies and restore safety along the East-West Road. The economic and social toll of neglecting this essential corridor has become too great to ignore, with lives now being the ultimate cost of inaction.
