Be Adewunmi Oluwaseun
Thousands of travellers commuting for the Sallah holiday were stranded for hours on the Abuja-Kaduna highway on Thursday following a major gridlock caused by a fallen oil tanker and worsened by the deplorable state of the road.
The traffic snarl began a few kilometres after Jere Junction in Kaduna State’s Kagarko Local Government Area, leaving many passengers stuck for five to six hours on a journey that normally takes about two and a half hours.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed that the obstruction was due to a crash involving a fuel tanker near Katari village.
Commuters expressed frustration and exhaustion as they recounted their experiences. Ibrahim Muhammad said he missed an important appointment in Kaduna despite leaving Abuja early.
“The logjam caused a standstill. No car moved for hours. We heard it was an accident but saw no sign of a fallen vehicle,” he said.
Another traveller, Ismail Idris, described the gridlock as a recurring issue, especially during festive periods.
“It’s frustrating that there are never enough traffic officials on the ground. It’s always after hours of standstill that FRSC or soldiers show up to restore order,” he lamented.
Fatima Adam, who was travelling to Kano, said her trip was significantly delayed. “We were at a spot near Jere for over three hours. People got down for air. Children were crying. It was a terrible sight,” she narrated.
According to the FRSC, its operatives eventually cleared the obstruction under the supervision of the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed.
The Corps urged motorists to remain lane-disciplined and drive cautiously to avoid further disruptions.
Recurring traffic congestion on this critical highway is not new. In December 2024, a similar incident involving four heavy-duty trucks paralyzed movement from Maje in Niger State to parts of the Abuja-Kaduna route.
Last year’s Sallah holiday also witnessed gridlock due to increased traffic on the deteriorated road.
The Abuja–Kaduna highway has been under reconstruction for seven years, with frequent delays and setbacks. The initial contractor, Julius Berger, completed much of the Kaduna-Zaria-Kano axis, but little progress was made between Abuja and Kaduna before the contract was revoked due to financial disagreements.
The job was reassigned to Infiouest Nigeria Limited, with the new contractor adopting a concrete pavement method for durability.
Minister of Works David Umahi said Sections 1 and 3, totaling 118km, were awarded to Infiouest at a cost of N252 billion, with 30 percent already disbursed. Another 82km stretch is expected to be constructed at a cost of N525 billion.
In May, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, announced the completion of six kilometres of reinforced concrete pavement and praised the quality of work during an inspection visit.
He assured the public that the road, when completed, would reduce travel time, improve safety, and boost economic activities.
Experts, however, believe that Nigeria’s infrastructural development still falls short of its population growth.
Engr. Bola Mudashiru said the country’s overreliance on road transportation without expanding road networks or introducing alternatives leads to predictable congestion during high-travel seasons.
Despite ongoing construction, the Abuja–Kaduna highway continues to pose risks to commuters, especially during major holidays.
Travellers are now calling for urgent and lasting solutions to the recurring nightmare.
