By Ismail Shuaib
ABUJA: Commuters and residents across the Federal Capital Territory were left stranded on Monday morning as heavy security barricades mounted at strategic points in Abuja triggered massive gridlock.
Motorists coming from Bwari, Ushafa, Dutse and parts of Kubwa spent hours in traffic, with many unable to access the city centre. Similar scenes were reported along the Nyanya–Mararaba road, where security personnel set up additional checkpoints, further compounding the situation.
The disruptions followed a planned protest by Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, and other activists demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. The group had announced plans to march to the Presidential Villa to press their demand.
Frustrated motorists voiced their anger at the barricades, describing them as unnecessary punishment. At Sokale junction, a commuter, Usman Jibrin, lamented spending over an hour in gridlock.
“If people want to go to the Villa, why should it affect those of us in the outskirts? Are they afraid people will be brought in this morning for the protest? This is punishment, and God is watching us all,” he fumed.
As of the time of filing this report, normal traffic flow had yet to be restored, with security operatives maintaining a heavy presence across the capital.
