Serious traffic congestion brought the Kugbo–Nyanya Expressway to a standstill on Monday morning following the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, which disrupted movement into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The demonstration, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, reportedly began around 7 a.m. near the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja. Protesters gathered to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been in custody since 2021 on terrorism-related charges.
According to NTA News, the gridlock stemmed from parked vehicles and large crowds along the busy Abuja–Keffi highway, as protest activities mixed with morning commuter traffic.
“Motorists heading into the FCT from the Kugbo/Nyanya axis report slow movement, with several lanes reportedly blocked by parked vehicles and protest-related activity,” the station reported.
The situation left many motorists stranded, while others abandoned their vehicles altogether. Large numbers of commuters, including workers heading to offices in the city centre, were forced to trek long distances from Nyanya, Mararaba, and Karu due to the blockage.
The Kugbo–Nyanya corridor, one of the busiest entry routes into Abuja, has long been prone to disruptions from protests and security operations, often resulting in hours-long traffic delays.
As of press time, security operatives had been deployed to manage the situation and restore traffic flow, though movement remained painfully slow through the affected areas.
