By Sarah NEGEDU
Massive traffic gridlock on Monday brought movement across the Federal Capital Territory to a near standstill, following the mounting of multiple army and police checkpoints at major entry routes into the city.
From as early as 6am, thousands of commuters were trapped for hours along the Nyanya-Mararaba expressway, Zuba/Dei-Dei corridor, Bwari/Dutse road and Lugbe/City Gate axis, as security personnel intensified stop-and-search operations.
Many residents described the gridlock as one of the worst in recent years.
Motorists coming from Bwari and Kubwa spent over three hours to get to the Central Area, for a journey that ordinarily takes less than an hour.
Similar standstill traffic congestion was also experienced by those plying the Nyanya to Area 1/Wuse routes, with some abandoning vehicles to trek to their destinations.
The heavy security build-up followed reports of a planned protest by Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, and other activists demanding the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Security operatives were seen blocking access to key junctions and entry points into the city centre to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
Frustrated motorists and residents expressed outrage at what they described as indiscriminate barricades that punished ordinary citizens.
At Sokale junction, a commuter, Usman Jibrin, lamented spending over an hour without movement.
“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 at 9am, traffic remained heavy across most parts of the city, with military and police presence still visible at entry points. The situation forced many workers to arrive late to offices, while commuters stranded at bus stops struggled to find vehicles.
