Motorists on the Abuja-Lokoja highway on Friday, October 7, 2022, experienced a grinding gridlock as two articulated vehicles broke down adjacent to each other.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has directed motorists to avoid the road for alternative routes not to get into the built-up gridlock around Koton-Karfe, Kogi Local Government Area.
Kogi Corps Commander Stephen Dawulung, announced this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Koton-Karfe at the scene of the blockage.
Dawulung advised motorists to take alternative routes such as Nasarawa-Loko-Oweto or Lafia- Makurdi-Otukpo ways for those travelling to the South-eastern part of the country or MinnaI-Mokwa-Jebba route for travellers to South-western part of the country.
ALSO READ: FG has spent $100m to feed 10m school children – Ngige
“As you can see, we have been overwhelmed and so worried over the flood-induced traffic gridlock currently being experienced by motorists, particularly at this Koton Karfe on the Abuja-Lokoja expressway.
“This traffic initially occurred as a result of the overflow of River Niger resulting in the flooding being experienced in Kogi.
“While that was being controlled, a petroleum tanker broke down in the middle of the flooded road and narrowed the road leaving only a single lane for movement.
“We thought we were lucky that in spite of the gridlock, there was still the very slow movement of vehicles.
ALSO READ: From Ojota to Ikeja: How different areas of Lagos got their names
“The development necessitated the filing out of three commands in Kogi to help to control the traffic with the help of other operatives, the military and vigilante.
“But today, another articulated vehicle broke down almost adjacent to the broken down tanker that mechanics tried to repair for more than a week in vain, thereby blocking the entire road.
“Our Towing Truck that was ordered to come and toy the articulated vehicle out of the road got blocked by the gridlock and can’t access the area.
“Can you see the dilemma we are in now and the reason for motorists and commuters to take the alternative routes we are suggesting?” he said.
While sympathising with those already trapped in the gridlock to bear with the unfortunate situation, Dawulung advised motorists to take alternative routes to get to their destinations.