A severe gridlock has crippled traffic flow along major expressways in Niger and Kaduna States, leaving thousands of motorists and passengers stranded on the highways
The traffic congestion, which has persisted for four days, has affected the Minna-Suleja, Maje-Jere, and Abuja-Kaduna expressways.
Eyewitnesses report that a massive buildup of trailer trucks has caused the gridlock, stretching from Maje in Suleja to Izom in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
Although four trailers were involved in accidents, they did not completely block the road, but the sheer volume of traffic hindered the free flow of vehicles.
The gridlock has also extended to the Diko junction, affecting traffic flow up to Jere in Kaduna State, and spilling over to the Kaduna-Abuja expressway.
Stranded passengers and motorists have been forced to endure hardships, including hunger, with some enterprising individuals selling bread to desperate travellers.
In an interview, passengers Musa Yahuza and Hajiya Salmat Ibn Kasim revealed that they had to charter motorcycles from Jere in Kaduna State to Lambata in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State at a cost of N7,500.
Others from Suleja who could afford it paid between N3,000 and N4,000 to ride motorcycles from Maje to Lambata.
Sources indicate that many vehicles, drivers, and passengers were forced to sleep on the road due to the gridlock.
Meanwhile, no personnel of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC or the Nigerian Police were seen attempting to alleviate the situation.
The Niger State Command of the FRSC and the Niger State Police Command have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.