A Nigerian lady's planned journey from the capital city of Abuja to Enugu State descended into a frustrating ordeal after her night bus got trapped in a massive gridlock at Lokoja, Kogi State, for over nine hours. The traveller, who shared her experience on TikTok, highlighted the severe challenges of road travel during the festive season, including exorbitant transport fares.
A Nightmare Journey on the Abuja-Lokoja Road
The lady, using the TikTok handle @petite197, documented the standstill in a video posted online. She explained that what was supposed to be a night bus trip turned into an endless wait, with the vehicle stationary from the early hours of the morning until past noon. Her bus had been stuck since 2 a.m., with no movement in sight even by 12 p.m.
In her frustrated account, she said, "Journey from Abuja to Enugu state. Guys we are stuck here since last night till now no movement. And the worst is that we are yet to reach Lokoja talking of being close to Enugu. I'm really frustrated right now. No movement." She attributed the cause of the gridlock to repair work being carried out on one of the bridges leading into Lokoja.
Revealing the High Cost of Festive Season Travel
Beyond the time spent stranded, the traveller also shed light on the sharp increase in transport fares during the Christmas period. She disclosed that she paid a significant sum for her ticket. The night bus fare from Abuja to Enugu cost her N25,000, while she noted that those who booked later paid N20,000.
This revelation about the cost sparked considerable discussion among Nigerians online, with many debating the economics and stress of travelling during peak seasons. The incident underscores a recurring annual problem where major transit routes like the Abuja-Lokoja highway become choke points due to increased volume and ongoing construction or repairs.
Nigerians React: Frustration and Alternative Routes
The lady's viral video prompted a flood of reactions from social media users, many sharing their own experiences or strategies to avoid similar fates.
@DE BLESSED ONYITEX GLOBAL commented with determination, stating they would travel east for the holidays regardless of the bridge issues. Others, like @beco950, cited the traffic as a reason to stay back in Abuja, while @RosyHorno thanked God their own journey from Enugu to Imo State involved an early 5 a.m. departure.
Some users suggested alternative paths. @Very wicked Abia girl claimed her driver took the route through Benue State from Abuja to Enugu and completed the trip in under six hours, avoiding the Lokoja bottleneck entirely. Another user, @Content Cruise TikTok Queen, advocated for air travel, stating, "That’s why I hate using road this period, best is to save enough money and fly, no stress."
The persistent gridlock at Lokoja, a critical gateway connecting the northern and southern parts of Nigeria, remains a major pain point for citizens, especially during holidays. This single traveller's experience, published on December 22, 2025, by journalist Victoria Nwahiri, has become a symbol of the wider logistical and infrastructural challenges facing road users in the country.
