Taraba communities face hardship after major bridge collapses in heavy rain.

Residents of several communities in Jalingo and Yorro local government councils of Taraba State have been thrown into hardship after a major bridge on the Muslim Council axis collapsed following a heavy downpour.

The bridge, the only direct link connecting numerous communities within the two local government areas, gave way under the persistent rainfall, disrupting transportation, economic activities, and access to essential services.

The collapse has left hundreds of residents stranded. Farmers are struggling to transport agricultural produce to markets, while commercial motorcycle operators, traders, students, civil servants, and other commuters are having difficulty reaching their destinations.

Affected residents described the situation as alarming, noting that the collapse has effectively cut off several communities and threatens livelihoods that depend heavily on the route.

Some residents who spoke to our reporter said the collapsed bridge, if not urgently fixed, will no doubt bring business and social activities to a halt.

“This is the major bridge that links Jalingo, the state capital, to Yorro local government council. I can tell you that this development will not only hinder business activities in the affected communities, but will also negatively impact our social lives,” said a resident who identified himself as Saminu Kelvin.

Citing the Namnai bridge that collapsed in 2024 and has not been fixed, another resident of one of the affected communities, Sunday Danejo, urged the authorities to wake up to their responsibilities by fixing all the bridges across the state that have been washed away by floods.

The bridge, as gathered by DAILY POST, was originally constructed through the intervention of Kasimu Bello Maigari during his tenure as the representative of the Jalingo, Yorro, and Zing Federal Constituency, providing a vital transportation corridor for residents over the years.

Community members have expressed deep concern over the incident and are appealing to the Taraba state government, relevant federal agencies, and emergency authorities to urgently intervene by rehabilitating or reconstructing the damaged bridge.

Many residents fear that prolonged inaction could worsen economic losses, disrupt educational activities, and further isolate communities, especially during the peak of the rainy season.

As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued regarding the extent of the damage or the timeline for possible repairs.