According to a report by Vanguard on Monday, August 24, 2026, a passenger transporting a large quantity of catfish has reportedly suffered a major financial loss after the fish died while the vehicle remained trapped for days in a severe traffic gridlock on the Agbor-Benin Expressway in Edo State.
The incident has drawn attention online as motorists and travellers continue to lament the worsening traffic situation along the busy highway.
According to reports circulating on social media, the passenger was transporting the catfish when the vehicle became trapped in the prolonged congestion. The fish reportedly remained inside the vehicle for several days before they eventually died.
A video showing the dead fish inside the vehicle has also circulated online, with a passenger heard lamenting the loss and blaming the prolonged gridlock for the incident.
Reports said the catfish were allegedly unable to survive the extended journey because of the length of time they spent in traffic, with claims that the lack of adequate ventilation and the difficulty of caring for the fish during the standstill contributed to their deaths.
The financial value of the fish has not been independently established, although some social media reports claimed the passenger suffered losses running into millions of naira. Those claims should be treated with caution pending confirmation from the owner or an independent source.
The reported incident comes amid a severe traffic crisis on the Agbor-Benin section of the highway.
Recent reports indicate that motorists and passengers have been stranded on the route for several days, with some travellers reportedly abandoning their vehicles and trekking long distances to escape the congestion. Others have resorted to motorcycles to navigate sections of the affected road.
A report published on Monday said travellers had experienced up to four days of gridlock on the Benin-Onitsha Expressway, resulting in significant losses for passengers and motorists transporting goods.
The congestion has reportedly been worsened by damaged sections of the highway, potholes, heavy rainfall, muddy areas and poor drainage. Broken-down articulated vehicles have also contributed to the traffic situation.
The Agbor-Benin corridor is an important part of the wider Lagos-Benin-Onitsha route, carrying thousands of passengers, commercial vehicles and goods between southern and eastern parts of Nigeria.
The death of the catfish highlights the wider economic consequences of prolonged traffic congestion.
For traders transporting live animals, agricultural products and other perishable goods, delays lasting several hours or days can result in substantial losses.
The affected passenger’s experience has consequently generated sympathy online, with social media users describing the incident as another example of how poor road conditions and prolonged traffic congestion can affect ordinary Nigerians.
Videos shared by travellers have also shown passengers complaining about spending long hours and, in some cases, overnight periods on the road.
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