Motorists stuck in traffic, passengers stranded as military blocks Keffi-Abuja road

Hundreds of civil servants and self-employed workers are stranded by the roadsides following the partial barricade of the ever-busy Keffi -Abuja road by the military.

The road was blocked at the Kugbo hill by the popular Kugbo Mechanic Village.

No reason has so far been officially given for the sudden road blockade that caught several motorists unaware but sources said it might not be unconnected with security challenges.

Some aggrieved groups were said to have threatened to mobilize from Nasarawa to Abuja to stage peaceful protests against some government policies.

At the time of this report, the gridlock occasioned by the roadblock had reached Mararaba, a distance of over two kilometres.

Newsmen observed that several highly placed Nigerians who could not bear the unpleasant situation were seen turning back to their various destinations while others parked by the roadside pending the time the blockade would be relaxed.

Expectedly, commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada are making brisk businesses charging exorbitant prices to move passengers from Mararaba to Kugbo Furniture Village.

Our Correspondent noted that a drop which used to cost N200 now attracted N1000 where available.

Civil servants who could no longer bear the pains having stood for hours by the roadsides are also turning back home.

A commercial bus driver, Iiliasu Mohammed told newsmen that he was caught unawares by the sudden action of the military, adding that they ought to have been informed in advance before taking steps that would have adverse effects on the daily life of an average Nigerian like himself.

He claimed to have spent two hours in the gridlock and pleaded with the military to relax the roadblock to enable his passengers who are civil servants get to work.

However, it was observed that only the Keffi -Abuja road was blocked against traffic while the Abuja -Keffi axis is free.