By Andrew Haruna | Nigeria News Today
In a troubling development tracked by The Bureau News, the ever-busy Abuja–Lokoja highway has been completely locked down on both sides after angry tanker drivers blocked the lanes in protest against alleged extortion from police and security personnel manning the road.
The protest began earlier in the day when several tanker drivers decided they could no longer cope with what they described as “constant and excessive financial demands” by officers at the numerous checkpoints along the highway. As of press time, traffic has been trapped for hours, leaving hundreds of motorists stranded under the scorching sun.
A trailer driver who spoke to The Bureau News on condition of anonymity revealed that security operatives collect as much as ₦5,000 at each checkpoint before allowing vehicles to pass — a practice the drivers say has become unbearable and unsustainable.
“Imagine paying five thousand naira at each checkpoint. Sometimes there are more than six checkpoints before Lokoja. We can’t keep doing this,” he said.
Suitably frustrated, the drivers parked their vehicles directly on the road, blocking the passage of traffic coming from both Abuja and Lokoja. Their protest immediately caused a massive tailback stretching for several kilometres.
Passengers caught in the gridlock said they have remained stuck for several hours with no official statement from the government or the security agencies involved. One passenger, simply identified as James, told The Bureau News that travellers are becoming increasingly worried as the gridlock lingers.
“We have been here for hours, and people are already scared of continuing the journey once it gets dark. These roads are not safe at night because of kidnappers and bandits,” he said with visible concern.
As of the time of filing this report, The Bureau News can confirm that some motorists have started turning back either to Lokoja or Abuja in an effort to avoid being trapped through the night.
Several road users and commuters are calling on the Federal Government and security authorities to urgently intervene, restore free flow of traffic, and address the issue of alleged extortion — which has long been a sensitive topic on major Nigerian highways.
Growing Fear as Night Approaches and Gridlock Expands
Observers on the scene have expressed fears that if the situation is not resolved quickly, the gridlock could spill deep into the night, increasing risks of robbery and kidnapping along the corridor.
The Abuja–Lokoja road serves as a major gateway connecting the Federal Capital Territory to the North Central and Southern regions of the country.
