Traffic Delays in Abuja Due to Increased Military Checkpoints Ahead of Protest

Motorists entering Abuja City Centre are facing significant traffic delays due to the recent reactivation of military checkpoints on major routes leading into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

City & Crime’s investigation revealed that checkpoints, previously dismantled for other assignments, were reestablished last Tuesday. The renewed military presence includes additional soldiers and equipment such as armored tanks.

The roadblocks are now situated on key routes including:

•  Between Sabon-Wuse and Dikko Junction in Niger State
•  Between Zuba and Dei-Dei in the FCT
•  Between Bwari and Dutsen-Alhaji
•  At Karu Junction and near Mogadishu Cantonment on the Abuja-Keffi Expressway
•  Around Giri Junction on the Abuja-Lokoja Highway

Sulaiman Ibrahim, a resident of Sabon-Wuse in Tafa LGA, Niger State, reported being stuck in traffic for over an hour at the checkpoints near Dikko Junction and between Zuba and Dei-Dei on Sunday afternoon. Ibrahim noted that the road was previously less congested on weekends before the installation of these roadblocks.

Many locals believe that the increase in military checkpoints is linked to the upcoming nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, which aims to address issues of hunger and bad governance.