Abuja Gridlock: Motorists groan as soldiers roadblock expressway

Abiodun OBA |

The Nigerian Army decision to mount a roadblock at the centre of the Abuja-Keffi Expressway inwards Abuja attracted displeasure from Motorists in Abuja and its environs.

Our reporter who witnessed the gridlock reported that the roadblock, which was mounted beside the Mogadishu Barracks, has caused a traffic snarl which has lasted for five hours.

The traffic, it was observed, spanned from the Karu end of the expressway through the Murtala Mohammed Expressway to the Goodluck Jonathan Expressway.

The Nigerian Army has failed to respond to all inquiries as regards the gridlock.

However, motorists wondered why the soldiers decided to mount a roadblock at the centre of such a strategic expressway which links Abuja to Nasarawa State.

While some wondered whether it was a temporary measure, others lamented that no notice was given.

A motorist, Shehu Mohammed, wondered why soldiers were searching the cars of motorists when there was no state of emergency in Abuja.

He said, “Soldiers asked us to open our booths and they even looked inside the cars. Ideally, this should be the job of the Police except there is a state of emergency.

“The traffic is making life unbearable for us and if they want to fight insecurity, they have to employ more intelligent tactics than mounting a roadblock on a major highway.”

Also narrating her ordeal, Mrs. Ololade Oludare another motorist, said, “I am a lawyer and I am supposed to be in court by 9am. Usually, it doesn’t take me more than 15 minutes to get to the Court of Appeal, but I have already spent over 35 minutes in this traffic.”