Thousands of motorists travelling for the Christmas holidays have been stranded on the Lokoja–Abuja highway following a prolonged traffic gridlock that has lasted for more than three days.
The congestion, which began over the weekend, has left vehicles stuck for hours with little movement, disrupting holiday plans and causing frustration among travellers. The worst-hit section of the road is around Koton Karfe, a major bottleneck on the busy route linking the Federal Capital Territory to parts of the South and North-Central regions.
Drivers interviewed by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) said they have been trapped on the highway since early Saturday, with no clear indication of when traffic would ease.
“It is now 8 p.m., and I have been here since 7 a.m. with my family, heading to Enugu,” one motorist said, describing the situation as exhausting and distressing, especially for children and elderly passengers.
Other travellers reported shortages of food, water, and fuel as the gridlock stretched into the night, forcing some motorists to sleep in their vehicles.
According to reports, the traffic congestion was caused by two fallen trucks that blocked sections of the road, significantly reducing vehicular movement. As of the time of reporting, efforts to fully clear the obstruction were ongoing.
The Lokoja–Abuja highway is a critical transport corridor, particularly during festive periods, and recurrent gridlock on the route has raised concerns about road safety, emergency response, and traffic management.
Many stranded travellers have called on relevant authorities to urgently intervene to clear the road and prevent similar occurrences during peak travel seasons.
