By SUNTV Global Channel | January 18, 2026
Travellers on the Lokoja–Abuja Expressway were thrown into hours of frustration on Sunday as a severe traffic gridlock brought movement to a complete standstill, leaving passengers—including children—stranded in what many described as a chaotic and dehumanising ordeal.
Eyewitnesses said the traffic jam, which stretched for less than five kilometres, lasted for over four hours, with vehicles barely moving as commuters waited helplessly under the sun. The congestion affected both private and commercial vehicles, forcing many travellers to remain trapped in their cars without access to food, water, or basic amenities.
Several affected passengers confirmed that security operatives, including personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) and soldiers, were present at the scene. However, commuters accused them of prioritising the movement of official convoys rather than addressing the plight of stranded motorists.
“They are all here, but they are only trying to force their bosses’ convoys through. Nobody is clearing the road to allow other motorists to move freely,” one frustrated traveller told SUNTV Global Channel.
The gridlock reportedly occurred at a critical travel period, with many Nigerians journeying to and from the Federal Capital Territory. Road users expressed fears over prolonged exposure to risks such as fatigue, vehicle breakdowns, accidents, and potential criminal attacks along the busy highway.
Motorists described the situation as exhausting and poorly managed, noting the complete absence of traffic officials, emergency responders, or construction workers who could have coordinated diversions or controlled traffic flow. Long queues of vehicles were seen stretching far into Lokoja, with some drivers forced to abandon their cars temporarily in search of assistance or basic necessities.
The incident has reignited concerns over the persistent neglect of the Abuja–Lokoja Expressway, one of Nigeria’s most important transport corridors. In December 2025, similar gridlocks were reported on the same route, stranding thousands of travellers for days during the Christmas rush and exposing what commuters described as official indifference to the worsening state of the road.
Many travellers blamed the latest chaos on ongoing road construction and the apparent disappearance of contractors, who, according to eyewitnesses, suspended work without providing traffic control measures, temporary relief routes, or adequate warning signs.
As frustration mounts, Nigerians are once again calling on the Federal Government and relevant agencies to urgently fix the recurring traffic crisis on the Lokoja–Abuja Expressway, warning that continued neglect could turn the vital highway into a safety and humanitarian risk zone.
SUNTV Global Channel reporting.
