Residents and protesters in Mokwa, Niger State, have blocked major entry points into the town, leaving commuters stranded as they demand urgent action over persistent insecurity and alleged abductions.
The protest reportedly disrupted movement along the busy Mokwa-Bida highway, with all entry points into Mokwa barricaded by angry protesters.
Many travellers were said to have been stranded since Saturday night as protesters called for the rescue of residents allegedly abducted by suspected bandits.
One of the protesters, Saliu Mohammed, claimed that 15 residents had recently been kidnapped in the community. The allegation could not be independently verified.
Mohammed alleged that security agencies had yet to rescue the victims and vowed that the protest would continue until they were released.
The development caused significant hardship for commuters. A traveller heading to Abuja from Ilorin, Joy Amaechi, said she had spent about five hours in Mokwa without any solution.
She appealed to the government to urgently intervene and secure the release of the alleged abductees.
A commercial bus driver, Henry Nwachuckwu, said he arrived in Mokwa at about 7 am on Sunday but was still unable to proceed as of 10:30 am because the protesters remained on the highway.
The blockade has heightened concerns over insecurity along the Mokwa-Bida route and intensified calls for security agencies and the government to act swiftly.
The reported abduction of 15 residents had not been independently verified as of the time of filing the report.
(The Sun)