Nigeria’s capital city experienced widespread traffic disruption on Monday as security forces moved to disperse protesters demanding the release of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, with multiple roads blocked and commuters stranded for hours.
The congestion affected several major routes across the Federal Capital Territory, with the Kugbo-Nyanya expressway experiencing particularly severe bottlenecks. Motorists heading into the city center from the Kugbo and Nyanya axis reported slow movement as lanes were blocked by parked vehicles and activities related to the protest.
Videos circulating on social media showed frustrated commuters lamenting the gridlock, which disrupted morning travel plans and delayed thousands of residents attempting to reach their workplaces. The traffic situation created a ripple effect across connecting roads, compounding the difficulties faced by road users.
The traffic chaos coincided with dramatic scenes at the protest grounds, where security operatives comprising police and military personnel took control of the area around 7:00 AM. Footage widely shared on social media captured human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and fellow organizers of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstration fleeing as police officers discharged gunshots.
In the video, Sowore could be seen running alongside other protesters as security forces moved to disperse the gathering. The protesters had planned to march to Aso Rock Villa to press their demand for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who leads the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra organization.
The confrontation came despite explicit warnings from the Nigeria Police Force against staging any demonstration near the Presidential Villa. Authorities had previously secured a Federal High Court order restricting protests at sensitive government locations, including Aso Rock and its environs.
The heavy security presence and subsequent dispersal of protesters created confusion and panic in surrounding areas, contributing to the traffic disruptions that paralyzed movement across multiple routes. Commuters caught in the gridlock expressed frustration at being unable to proceed with their daily activities due to the standoff between protesters and security forces.
By Monday morning, it remained unclear whether any arrests had been made or if there were injuries resulting from the confrontation. The protest represented a direct challenge to the court order obtained by police to prevent demonstrations near Nigeria’s seat of power.
The traffic situation highlighted the broader impact of the ongoing dispute over Kanu’s detention, with ordinary Abuja residents bearing the brunt of the disruption as security forces enforced restrictions on the planned demonstration.
