Motorists travelling on the Lokoja–Abuja highway have been stranded in a prolonged traffic gridlock, barely days before the Christmas holiday.
The congestion, which has lasted for about three days, has left hundreds of travellers stuck on the route, particularly around Koton Karfe in Kogi state.
Drivers interviewed by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) said the gridlock began early on Saturday and had shown no sign of easing.
“It is now 8pm, and I have been here since 7am with my family. We are heading to Enugu,” one motorist said.
Reports indicate that the traffic buildup was caused by two fallen trucks that blocked sections of the highway, leading to a pile-up of vehicles estimated to stretch between three and five miles.
Some commuters reportedly abandoned the main road and took dusty off-road routes in an attempt to bypass the gridlock.
Security operatives, including officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), have been deployed to the area to manage traffic and restore vehicular movement.
The Kogi state government said it had initiated measures to prevent traffic congestion on the highway ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities.
A team led by Jerry Omodara, the state’s security adviser, recently inspected critical points along the road and identified areas requiring urgent intervention.
Omodara said the exercise, approved by the state executive council, was aimed at preventing recurring gridlock during peak travel periods.
The state government added that the measures were designed to ensure safe and seamless travel for commuters during the holiday season.
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