Travellers along the Mokwa-Bida highway in Niger State were stranded on Sunday as protesters blocked major entry points into Mokwa, demanding urgent government action over alleged persistent bandit attacks in the area.
The protest reportedly began on Saturday night, leaving several commuters unable to continue their journeys. A protester, Saliu Mohammed, alleged that suspected bandits recently abducted 15 residents of the community and accused security agencies of failing to secure their release. The claim could not be independently verified.
Mohammed said the protesters would remain on the highway until the abducted residents were rescued. The development caused significant disruption along the busy route, with motorists and passengers forced to wait for hours.
A commuter travelling from Ilorin to Abuja, Joy Amaechi, said she had spent about five hours in Mokwa without knowing when the road would reopen. She appealed to the government to urgently intervene and address the security concerns.
A driver with a mass transit company, Henry Nwachuckwu, said he arrived in Mokwa at about 7 a.m. but found the highway blocked. As of 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, the protesters were still occupying the road.
The protest highlights growing concerns over insecurity along the Mokwa-Bida corridor and the impact of banditry on residents, travellers and commercial activities.
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