Traffic came to a standstill around Karu Bridge on Saturday after soldiers restricted vehicular movement as part of security measures for the ongoing Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The restriction led to heavy congestion by midday, leaving commuters travelling between Karu and Abuja’s city centre stranded in prolonged gridlock.
A PUNCH correspondent on election assignment, heading from Karu toward the city centre around noon, observed military personnel barricading the road, which triggered the traffic buildup.
Both inbound and outbound commuters were affected, including accredited election officials attempting to reach their duty posts. Efforts by the correspondent to gain passage through the checkpoint were unsuccessful, as the soldiers declined requests to allow vehicles through.
At least four military Hilux vehicles were positioned across the road, with heavily armed personnel stationed around them. Motorists heading toward the city centre were forced to turn back to Karu, while others travelling in the opposite direction were similarly redirected.
As the restriction persisted, vehicles piled up on both sides, heightening frustration among stranded commuters.
Although security agencies had deployed personnel to strategic locations across the FCT to ensure a peaceful election, the restriction at Karu Bridge caused major disruption to traffic flow in the area.
