Truck Drivers’ Protest Grounds Traffic on Abuja–Lokoja Highway
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO — Traffic along the Abuja–Lokoja highway was brought to a standstill on Wednesday after trailer and truck drivers staged a protest, blocking sections of the busy federal highway around the Abaji axis.
According to multiple reports, the demonstrators obstructed both carriageways, leaving hundreds of motorists stranded and disrupting the movement of passengers and goods along one of Nigeria’s major transport corridors.
The blockade reportedly prevented vehicles travelling from Abuja to Lokoja from moving beyond Abaji, while motorists heading from Lokoja towards the Federal Capital Territory were also unable to access the area as traffic built up on both sides of the highway.
Eyewitnesses said long queues of vehicles, including commercial buses, private cars and heavy-duty trucks, stretched for several kilometres as frustrated commuters waited for the situation to ease.
As of the time of filing this report, the reasons behind the protest had not been officially disclosed, while security agencies and relevant authorities were yet to issue statements on the development.
The disruption caused significant delays for travellers and transport operators, raising concerns over the movement of essential goods and the economic implications of prolonged obstruction on the strategic Abuja–Lokoja route.
Efforts to restore normal traffic flow were reportedly ongoing, although it remained unclear when the protesters would vacate the highway and allow free movement of vehicles.