A Nigerian woman's journey home for the festive season turned into a gruelling ordeal, highlighting the severe traffic congestion plaguing major routes during the Christmas period. The lady, travelling from the capital city of Abuja to Imo State, captured and shared a video documenting the extensive gridlock that left countless vehicles stranded on the Lokoja road.
Video Evidence of a Standstill
The footage, posted online, serves as a stark visual testament to the travel difficulties faced by many. It shows a long line of stationary cars and commercial buses, unable to move forward. The scene paints a vivid picture of the challenges of inter-state travel in Nigeria during peak holiday seasons, where journeys that typically take a certain number of hours can extend into an entire day or more.
The Lokoja Bottleneck
The incident occurred on Saturday, December 21, 2024, just days before Christmas, when road traffic volume is at its highest. The Lokoja route, a critical link connecting the northern and southern parts of Nigeria, is notoriously prone to such congestion, especially during festivities. The shared video underscores a recurring national issue: the pressure on road infrastructure and the immense patience required from travellers trying to reunite with families.
A Recurring Holiday Challenge
This event is not isolated but part of an annual pattern. The experience of the lady, whose identity was not disclosed, mirrors that of thousands of other Nigerians undertaking similar journeys. The gridlock leads to significant delays, exhaustion, and increased travel costs. It also raises concerns about emergency access and the well-being of passengers, including children and the elderly, who are often trapped in these conditions for prolonged periods.
The video, sourced from Legit.ng and reported by Victoria Nwahiri, a Reuters-certified journalist with over five years of experience, brings a human face to a widespread logistical problem. It acts as a reminder for authorities and planners to seek lasting solutions for holiday traffic management on crucial corridors like the Lokoja road.
