The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has dismissed a viral message circulating on social media alleging new traffic restrictions around the Sheraton Link Bridge inward Opebi Road in Ikeja, describing it as false and misleading.
In a statement shared on its official X handle on Monday, the ministry said there has been no change to traffic rules in the affected axis, urging motorists to disregard the information in circulation.
“FALSE TRAFFIC INFORMATION CONCERNING SHERATON LINK BRIDGE INWARD OPEBI – PLEASE DISREGARD,” the ministry stated.
It added that “the information circulating about changes and restrictions around Sheraton Link Bridge inward Opebi Road is false and misleading.”
According to the ministry, there are no new diversion plans or alterations to existing traffic flow in the area “Traffic rules in that area and its environs remain the same for now until advised otherwise by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation,” it said.
The ministry also dismissed allegations contained in the viral message claiming that task force officials were stationed in the area to harass or extort motorists.
“Also, the claim that task force officials are ‘preying’ on motorists is false. There is nothing like that happening,” it added.
The statement was signed by the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, who urged residents to rely only on verified government channels for traffic updates.
“Please ignore the message and rely only on official traffic information from the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation. Stay safe and do not share false information,” he said.
The clarification comes after a viral WhatsApp and X message circulated widely on Sunday morning, claiming that motorists approaching Sheraton Link Bridge inward Opebi must divert through alternative routes, including Ojota-Opebi bridge, and alleging aggressive enforcement by task force officials.
The message, which used alarmist language about officials “on the prowl looking for who to devour,” sparked confusion among road users before the ministry’s rebuttal.
