Hundreds of motorists and freight vehicles were stranded for several hours on the Kaduna-Abuja highway on Monday, according to reports from Punch and AllAfrica. The gridlock, which extended from Akilibu to Gidan Busa, was triggered by multiple accidents involving long vehicles and ongoing road construction. The congestion left commuters, passengers, and livestock stranded under the sun, causing significant delays for deliveries and appointments.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander, Andrew Paul Longkam, confirmed that the obstruction was caused by three broken-down trucks on Rijana Bridge. Longkam noted that ongoing road construction had narrowed the carriageway to a single lane, meaning even minor obstructions could result in severe congestion. He also cited the heavy traffic flow on the highway, with many vehicles heading to Jigawa State for a political campaign, as a contributing factor to the severity of the delay.
According to AllAfrica, a commercial driver named Bala spent nearly three hours in the traffic before being able to continue his journey. Another commuter, Reuben Buhari, reported spending eight hours on the road, noting that many tanker and trailer drivers would likely spend the night on the highway. The FRSC reported that its team successfully removed two of the trucks, and traffic began to flow slowly as road repairs continued.
Punch reported that a fashion designer named Sarah Monday missed a contract meeting in Abuja due to the standstill. She urged the Federal Government to finish the highway project soon to lessen the burden on users during festive seasons. A businessman named Adewale Usman suggested that the Federal Government should activate rail transport to reduce the pressure of heavy goods on the highways. A road safety official noted that at least 20 incidents involving heavy vehicles happen on this route each month, indicating a recurring pattern of congestion.
As of late Monday afternoon, many motorists began turning back towards Kaduna, opting to use the Kachia-Bwari road instead. The Katari-Jere stretch has become a recurring congestion point due to ongoing construction activities that force motorists to navigate restricted passages and narrow diversions. The situation highlighted the vulnerability of the corridor, which links the Federal Capital Territory with Kaduna and provides access to other parts of northern Nigeria.