Chukwu Obinna 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Massive traffic gridlock hit Nigeria’s capital Monday morning as multiple checkpoints were set up ahead of a planned rally demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
Commuters reported being stranded for hours on major entry routes, including Zuba and Nyanya, as security forces inspected vehicles and blocked several lanes.
“People coming from Zuba to town have been stuck for hours,” one commuter said. “Drivers are turning back, and many are walking.”
Authorities heightened surveillance after activist Omoyele Sowore and other campaigners announced plans for a peaceful protest. Social media posts over the weekend intensified fears of unrest, prompting the deployment of soldiers and police.
The traffic standstill disrupted commercial, private and emergency vehicles, with some motorists abandoning cars altogether.
A government worker at Nyanya bridge expressed frustration: “We understand security needs, but this scale of disruption punishes everyone.”
As of publication time, security agencies had yet to issue statements explaining the prolonged checkpoint operations or addressing citizens’ complaints.
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Koko Maxwella 
Mirian Gom 