Sallah Travel Gridlock Paralyzes Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, Stranding Hundreds Overnight

Hundreds of travellers spent the night stranded on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway as severe traffic congestion brought movement to a halt between Jere and Katari, raising fears over the safety of livestock and perishable goods caught in the snarl-up.

The gridlock, which began on Sunday, has forced motorists to sleep on the road while many others diverted to the Jere-Kachia route to escape the jam. Eyewitnesses attributed the chaos to a combination of ongoing road construction and a surge in holiday travel ahead of the Sallah festivities.

Adams Gambo, a motorist trapped since Sunday night, described the situation as unbearable. “It was a terrible experience. I slept here and the gridlock has continued into today. My worry is that many animals inside trucks may not survive, and perishable goods will spoil,” he said in a telephone interview.

Another stranded passenger, Attah Gabriel, who left Kaduna on Sunday evening, lamented the lack of food and relief. “There is no food to eat here. It is not a good experience. The contractor handling this road should complete the project so travellers can have relief,” he urged.

It was  gathered that the buildup was triggered by roadworks coinciding with mass movement of residents ahead of the Sallah break. Attempts to reach officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps at the scene for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.