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Lokoja–Abuja Highway Gridlock Leaves Travelers Stranded for Days

Phinadon Mag

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Quick Summary:
Thousands of travelers remain stranded for up to three days on the Lokoja–Abuja highway amid a combination of protests, accidents, and construction bottlenecks, prompting emergency government intervention.

A massive traffic gridlock on the Lokoja–Abuja highway has left thousands of festive season travelers stranded for up to three days, with many motorists describing the route as a “parking lot” due to near-total immobility.

Although government officials announced on Sunday, December 21, 2025, that traffic had resumed, reports from Monday morning, December 22, indicated that movement remained at a standstill, particularly around the Koton Karfe axis.

The situation has disrupted travel plans for commuters heading to and from northern and southern Nigeria, turning the critical highway into a scene of frustration and exhaustion.

Causes of the Gridlock

Military–Trucker Standoff

A major trigger of the crisis was a blockade staged by truck drivers following an altercation with soldiers at a checkpoint.
According to eyewitnesses, the confrontation began after military personnel allegedly smashed a truck’s windscreen, prompting other drivers to block the highway in solidarity, halting traffic in both directions.

Fallen Vehicles

At least two to four articulated trucks reportedly fell on the highway, further obstructing the already congested corridor and complicating rescue and clearance operations.

Construction and Traffic Volume

Ongoing road rehabilitation works have narrowed sections of the expressway, creating diversions and bottlenecks that cannot accommodate the surge in holiday traffic typical of the Christmas period.

Driver Impatience

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) identified reckless overtaking and wrong-way driving by impatient motorists as aggravating factors, turning isolated blockages into a multi-kilometer gridlock.

Government Response

Ministerial Directive

Minister of Works, David Umahi, ordered the immediate opening of all completed portions of the expressway on Sunday to ease congestion and restore partial flow.

Personnel Deployment

FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed directed the deployment of additional officers and heavy-duty tow trucks to remove fallen vehicles and manage traffic flow.

Inter-Agency Coordination

A joint task force comprising the FRSC, Nigerian Army, and Police has been stationed at critical hotspots—from the Murtala Mohammed Bridge through Gegu—to manually control traffic and mediate disputes between motorists and enforcement personnel.

Officials have urged travelers to exercise patience or seek alternative routes, as the vehicle buildup stretches for several kilometers in both directions.

News

Police arrest Bauchi man accused of poisoning motorcyclist and stealing his bike.

Ikechukwu Emmanuel

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Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have arrested a 27-year-old man, Isiyaka Badamasi, for allegedly poisoning a commercial motorcyclist in an attempt to steal his motorcycle.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, Badamasi and his alleged accomplice, Ma’aruf Sani, reportedly offered a 21-year-old motorcyclist a sweet containing a harmful substance. The victim, who resides in the Yelwa Tudun area of Bauchi, allegedly became intoxicated after consuming it.

The suspects were said to have attempted to dispossess him of his Bajaj Boxer motorcycle. However, the victim raised an alarm after sensing danger, attracting members of the public who apprehended Badamasi. Sani, both of whose residents are reportedly from Na’ibawa in Kano State, escaped and is currently the subject of a police manhunt.

The victim was taken to Gamuwa Primary Health Care Centre, where he remains on admission and is responding to treatment.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation. The command also urged residents to remain vigilant and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

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Entertainment

Lojay: My uncle told me I would never succeed in music.

Ikechukwu Emmanuel

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Nigerian singer Lojay has revealed that he faced significant opposition when he decided to pursue a career in music, including doubts from members of his family.

Speaking during a recent livestream with content creator Gilmore, the “Monalisa” hitmaker recalled that one of his wealthy and influential uncles, who is now involved in politics, told him he would never succeed in the music industry.

“I have an uncle who is now in politics. I won’t mention his name, but he is very rich and popular. When I wanted to start music, he told me I would never blow,” Lojay said.

Despite the discouragement, the singer remained committed to his ambition and used the criticism as motivation. He expressed satisfaction that his perseverance had eventually produced positive results.

Lojay also encouraged his fans to remain confident in their dreams and avoid allowing negative opinions to define their ambitions.

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News

Benue Police Deny Withdrawal of Mobile Personnel from Ayilamo.

Ikechukwu Emmanuel

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The Nigeria Police Command in Benue State has dismissed reports alleging that Mobile Police personnel were withdrawn from Ayilamo community in Logo Local Government Area.

In a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Orchia Aondogwu, the report was described as unfounded and baseless. He stated that Mobile Police personnel remained deployed in Ayilamo alongside the Divisional Police team and other tactical units.

Aondogwu also said additional military personnel had been deployed to reinforce security in the area, urging the public to disregard the report.

However, the traditional ruler of Ayilamo, Mue Ter, Chief Torkoer Samuel, contradicted the police account. He claimed that the Mobile Police personnel left the community on Wednesday with their equipment and Armoured Personnel Carriers.

The conflicting accounts have raised questions about the current security situation in Ayilamo and the extent of military presence in the community.

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