In a surprise move, the military has taken control of the Keffi-Abuja expressway, barricading the highway and conducting a stop-and-search operation on vehicles entering the nation’s capital. The blockade, mounted at Sani Abacha barracks near the AYA roundabout, has left commuters stranded and caused a massive gridlock extending over 12 kilometres to Nyanya Bridge.
Many civil servants and traders living outside the city centre have been forced to return home, frustrated and disappointed, after hours of standstill. The unexpected lockdown comes just three days before the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship in Nigeria, scheduled to begin on August 1.
The protest aims to draw attention to the rising cost of living and economic hardship faced by many Nigerians. The military’s move has raised concerns about the government’s intentions to suppress the protest and limit the movement of citizens.
The blockade has caused significant disruptions to daily life, with many people unable to commute to work or access essential services. The situation remains tense, with many wondering what the next few days will bring as the protest approaches.
