The Kogi State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the military and other security agencies, is battling to ease the severe traffic gridlock that has paralysed the Lokoja–Abuja highway since Friday evening.
Officials from the state government, FRSC, police and the military were deployed along the corridor from the Murtala Mohammed Bridge through Koton Karfe to Ozi community near Gegu, where they coordinated traffic control efforts aimed at easing congestion.
The FRSC Sector Commander in Kogi State, Mr. Tenimu Etuku, said additional strategies were being deployed to clear the gridlock and reduce the hardship faced by travellers.
According to him, four fallen articulated vehicles had already been removed from the road, but traffic congestion persisted largely due to motorists’ impatience and non-compliance with traffic control directives.
“We have pulled out four fallen articulated vehicles from the road, yet the traffic persisted because motorists hardly listen or wait for proper clearance,” Etuku said.
He blamed truck drivers in particular, noting that some deliberately block the highway over minor issues, with little regard for the consequences on other road users.
“The drivers are the problem. Truck drivers can deliberately block the highway on the slightest provocation. We had two such incidents on Sunday, even after we reopened the road on Saturday night,” he added.
Reacting to the situation, the Kogi State Security Adviser, retired Commodore Jerry Omodara, described the gridlock as “very unfortunate” and “uncalled for,” especially during the festive season.
Omodara said critical sections of the highway requiring immediate intervention had been identified and addressed to facilitate smoother vehicular movement.
He added that the state government was working closely with the FRSC, military, police and other stakeholders to ensure safe and seamless travel during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“Some travellers spent hours, even overnight, on the Lokoja–Abuja–Lokoja highway before continuing their journeys to either the southern or northern parts of the country,” he said.
Omodara also attributed the congestion partly to ongoing road construction works across the state, noting that the situation had worsened despite assurances from the Federal Ministry of Works that traffic flow would not be disrupted.
He, however, assured motorists that efforts were ongoing to fully restore traffic flow by Monday.
“We are trusting God to help us restore normal traffic flow along the expressway this Monday,” he said.
