Thousands of Abuja residents were stranded on Monday morning as security forces mounted barricades at key entry points across the Federal Capital Territory, triggering massive gridlock and public outrage.

The lockdown, which affected major routes including Bwari, Ushafa, Dutse, and parts of Kubwa, was linked to the planned protest by activists demanding the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, and other activists had mobilised demonstrators to march on the State House, the official residence of President Bola Tinubu,prompting a heavy security presence across the city.

Motorists along the busy Nyanya-Mararaba corridor were also caught in the chaos, with traffic stretching for kilometres as soldiers and police conducted checks on vehicles heading into the city centre.

In the Sokale area, commuters expressed frustration. “I’ve been in one spot for over an hour,” lamented Usman Jibrin, a driver. “If people want to go to the Villa, why should it affect those of us on the outskirts? Are they scared protesters would be imported this morning? This is punishment  and God is watching.”

The situation left many workers and students stranded, with public transport operators hiking fares amid the standstill. Security operatives maintained that the measures were precautionary to prevent a breakdown of law and order.