Nigerians lament as Abuja-Kaduna gridlock leaves travellers stranded ahead of Eid
Thousands Stranded on Abuja-Kaduna Highway Amid Eid-el-Kabir Travel Surge
Thousands of travelers en route to northern Nigeria for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations have faced significant delays along the Abuja–Kaduna Highway, where severe traffic congestion has persisted since Monday.
The gridlock, affecting both private and commercial vehicles, has been attributed to an increase in festive traffic, ongoing road construction, and heavy rainfall in the region. Many commuters reported that journeys that typically take less than three hours have extended into an all-day affair.
Muhammad Musa, a stranded traveler, expressed frustration over the situation. “Flight from Kano to Lagos is about half a million naira, which I can’t afford. I decided to travel by road, and this is where I ended up, spending more than six hours,” he said.
Kabiru Abdullahi, another commuter, shared a similar experience, stating, “Since yesterday, we have been on the road from Abuja to Kano, and we have not even reached Jere because of the heavy traffic gridlock.”
Social media users have echoed discontent over the Highway’s condition. One user, Aboubacar Sani Sabo, remarked that three days of gridlock had turned a journey that should take just a few hours into a nearly 14-hour ordeal. “You can leave Kaduna by 5 a.m. and arrive in Abuja by 7:30 p.m. using a private car and not public transport,” he wrote, criticizing the government’s failure to address the issues.
In light of the ongoing situation, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a travel advisory recommending that motorists consider the Kachia–Bwari route as an alternative to the congested highway. The FRSC noted that the traffic buildup is exacerbated by increased vehicle movement during the Sallah celebrations, in addition to construction activities and weather-related disruptions.
The Federal Government has also taken steps to alleviate the congestion. Minister of Works David Umahi has directed the immediate reopening of all segments of the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Road currently under construction. This measure aims to ease the burden on commuters during the festive season.
According to a statement from Francis Nwaze, the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, this decision was made following a briefing on an earlier accident along the corridor that had obstructed traffic. All obstructions have since been cleared to restore normal traffic flow.
As the holiday approaches, authorities remain focused on improving conditions for the large number of travelers expected on the road.
