If you are planning to move your family from Port Harcourt to Lagos, Owerri, or the village this week, you already know the drill: prayer, preparation, and patience. To help you navigate the journey, we have put together this East-West Road Travel Guide 2025. This year, the road presents a unique set of challenges, from heavy construction zones to serious security threats that every traveler must be aware of
It is no longer just about avoiding bad roads; it is about avoiding bad people. Before you load the trunk with bags of rice and coolers of stew, read our survival guide to navigating the highways—and the security threats—this festive season.
1. The East-West Road Update: Managing Expectations
While the Federal Government promised major completions on the Eleme-Onne axis by December 2025, seasoned travelers know that “completion” in Nigeria often means “construction zones.”
- The Eleme Axis: Expect heavy slow-downs. While the surface may be better than last year, the sheer volume of fuel tankers and holiday travelers creates bottlenecks. Pro Tip: If you are heading out of PH, leave by 5:30 AM. Any later, and you might spend your first 3 hours just getting past the refinery junction.
- The Delta/Bayelsa Stretch: This area is relatively smoother but notorious for sudden potholes that can wreck a suspension at high speeds. Watch out for the “Kaiama” bridge approach—it often catches speeders off guard.
2. The “No Night Travel” Rule: Bandits & Kidnappers
This is the most critical update for 2025. The risk of encountering criminals, bandits, and kidnappers spikes significantly once the sun goes down. The “Emohua” axis and certain lonely stretches of the East-West road remain designated “Red Zones” by security experts.
- The “Flashpoint” Danger: Kidnappers often target vehicles that are forced to slow down due to bad spots on the road. They utilize the cover of darkness and the surrounding bush to ambush travelers.
- The Tactics: Be aware of “decoys.” Criminals may stage fake accidents or use logs of wood to block the road.
- Your Defense Strategy:
- Strict Curfew: Do not be on the highway between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM. If you are delayed, swallow your pride and lodge in a secure hotel in a major town (Yenagoa, Warri, Ughelli) rather than pushing through the night.
- Convoy Movement: If possible, try to move with other vehicles. A solitary car on a lonely stretch is a “soft target.” There is safety in numbers.
- Keep Moving: If you hit an object or a pothole in a lonely area, do not stop to inspect the damage unless the car is completely immobilized. Drive on the rim if you have to until you reach a police checkpoint or a populated area.
3. Your “Checklist” Before You Move
Don’t trust your mechanic’s “I don check am” blindly. Verify these three things yourself this morning to avoid being a sitting duck at the side of the road:
- Spare Tyre & Jack: When was the last time you actually checked if your spare has air? Do it today.
- Wiper Blades & Fluid: The Harmattan dust will cake your windshield. You need functional wipers and a full reservoir of washer fluid (mix it with a little liquid soap) to clear the glare so you can spot hazards from a distance.
- Cooling System: The December sun is unforgiving. Ensure your radiator is flushed and fans are working to prevent overheating in traffic.
4. Emergency Numbers (Screenshot This)
Keep these saved on your phone, not just written in a diary in the trunk.
- FRSC Emergency: 122
- Rivers State Police Control Room: 08032003514
- National Emergency (Toll-Free): 112
The Bottom Line: Arriving on the 26th alive is better than rushing to arrive on the 25th. Drive defensively, stay vigilant against security threats, and get home safe.
