Commuters and civil servants were stranded for hours on Monday morning as soldiers and police mounted heavy security checkpoints and barricades on major roads leading into Abuja.

This followed reports about a planned protest the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The protest, expected to be led by the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, caused massive traffic gridlock across several entry points into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

As early as 4:00 a.m., military personnel had blocked the Keffi–Abuja Expressway at Karu Bridge, near the Sani Abacha Barracks, conducting stop-and-search operations on vehicles entering the city.

The situation left thousands of commuters from Nyanya, Karu, Mararaba, Masaka and surrounding areas stranded for hours.

A similar situation was reported along the Dutse–Bwari–City Centre axis, while motorists coming through the Airport Road were diverted at the National Mosque, with security operatives blocking the road to the Central Area.

A message circulated among workers in Abuja early Monday morning advised:

“Good morning, dear colleagues, please, if you are coming from Airport Road to the Central Area, follow Area 1. Security blocked from National Mosque.”

Several roads in the city centre, including those leading to the Eagle Square, Federal Secretariat, and National Assembly, were also manned by armed personnel.

It was learnt that the heavy deployment was a proactive measure to maintain law and order and prevent any breach of peace during the planned protest.

Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention since his re-arrest and extradition to Nigeria in June 2021. His supporters have repeatedly called for his release, citing court orders and concerns over his health.