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Christmas: Commuters groan over gridlocks, high fares in South East
Some Commuters have groaned over gridlocks on various expressways caused by multiple checkpoints and roadblocks by security agencies and tax agents within the South East geopolitical zone.
The commuters, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews, blamed the high cost of transportation to the roadblocks and the extortions by the security agencies and the tax agents.
Mr David Uzonna, a regular commuter, who is based in Awka, said road blocks were a major challenge they faced in their daily operations.
He said there was a total of 19 roadblocks between Awka and Enugu, a journey of less than 100 kilometres.
“The extortion that goes on at the road blocks and delays was partly responsible for the increase in transport fares.
“An 18 seater bus that used to cost N3,000 was now between N4,000 and N4,500, while Sienna vehicle that used to cost N5,000 and N6,000 per trip, now cost N7,000,” he said.
Uzonna said the condition of the road was better but what would have been gained was lost to gridlock caused by the security checkpoints.
He urged the south east governors to intervene and reduce the number of checkpoints within the region to hasten movement and also boost economic activities.
Mrs Ifeoma Agueze, an Europe-based Nigerian, who returned to spend the Christmas with her family members, said she spent almost 10 hours by road from Abuja to Enugu due to numerous checkpoints and bad roads.
“Traveling in Nigeria either by road or by air is chaotic and frustrating. I left Abuja with a Sienna by 7am, we met some checkpoints from Nasarawa but on getting to Otukpa, the roadblocks increased in number till we got to Enugu by 7.30pm.
“In fact, I lost count of the checkpoints mounted by different groups including the soldiers, police, Road Safety, the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs), and the agriculture produce team. This is a journey that is supposed to be for six hours.
“They would not only stop and search vehicles but would also demand for money forcefully from drivers and if you fail to play ball, they would delay you for hours,” she said.
It is a similar situation on Enugu- Onitsha expressway, Owerri-Port Harcourt Road, Enugu-Okigwe-Owerri Road where passengers are sometimes asked to come down from the vehicle and walk past the checkpoints before joining their vehicles.
Some commercial drivers who narrated their experiences, said they spend between N2,000 and N100,000 depending on the route and the vehicle.
Mr Dominic Nwuda, a commercial driver that ply between Enugu and Port Harcourt, said he spent between N3,000 and N5,000 to settle the police and soldiers on the road.
According to him, that is why we increase our fares to cover such expenses. If you do not comply, they will ask you to offload the luggage in your vehicle and seize your vehicle documents until you give them money.
A truck driver, simply called Ahmed, who conveys foodstuffs from Adamawa to the East, said their major obstacle was the Agric produce team especially from Obollo Afor in Enugu State to Abia and Rivers states.
“They collect as much as N10,000 at every stop after checking the foodstuffs and livestock of every truck,” he said.
He said that it was a different situation while traveling from Adamawa to Lagos where they paid only once to the union.
Meanwhile, commuters have lamented the high transportation fares, describing it as “a difficult situation” for the Christmas and new year celebrations.
Some travellers said that the fare was higher compared to the previous years, calling on the state government and other relevant agencies to prevail on the situation.
Mrs Mercy Okoro, a traveller at Ebonyi Transport Services (EBOTRANS) said the situation was difficult on the public.
Okoro, who was to travel with her four kids to Umuahia, Abia state said she could no longer embark on the journey due to the higher fare.
A driver, Mr Clement Nwafor, said that the cost of traveling from Abakaliki to Afikpo is N2, 500 and Onicha, Ohaozara local government areas is N2, 500 respectively. This is what we have been collecting since the year began.
On checkpoints, Nwafor, said it was not common in Ebonyi state, stating that there were only three checkpoints from the security agencies along the Abakaliki-Afikpo road.
“We don’t normally meet checkpoints within the state. You can find such along the highways like, Abakaliki-Enugu expressway, Enugu-Onitsha among others.
Transport operators in Enugu metropolis have also increased their fares within the city as residents make final shopping for the Christmas celebrations.
Investigation by NAN showed that the increase involved taxi drivers, bus drivers, Uber drivers and tricycle operators also known as Keke.
NAN reports that most drivers, especially city bus drivers have hiked their fares for every drop, thereby frustrating many commuters.
NAN reports that a transport fare from Gariki to either Ogbete market or New market which used to cost N400 now goes for between N500 and N600 by bus while tricycles cost the same.
Also, bus fare from Agbani road to other parts of the city has increased to about 50 per cent.
A bus fare from Ogbete market to Abakpa has also gone up to between N500 and N600 from the usual N400.
A taxi fare from Agbani road to Asata road inside the city which used to cost N400 now costs N600.
A bus driver, Mr Ikechukwu Eze, told NAN that the situation was just normal and not connected to increase in petrol or any other factor.
“Passengers are rushing; so, if you cannot pay, another passenger is ready to pay.
“It is our time to make little money to celebrate Christmas like others,” he said.
A tricycle operator, Mr Innocent Uzor, said that as people were rushing to the market and to their villages, it is time for transporters to make money.
Also speaking, another passenger, Mrs Veronica Ugwueze condemned the hike in fares, describing it as “selfish and unreasonable”.
“It is wickedness by tricyclists and bus drivers, they are just exploiting people because of Christmas,” she said. (NAN)
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has withdrawn the invitation extended to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi.
The police chief, however, directed the Kano State command of the force to obtain the monarch’s statement in the State regarding the incident.
Egbetokun, who gave the directive through the spokesman of the police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the withdrawal became imperative following the intervention of some stakeholders in the country.
The top cop also said his resolve was in line with the police’s commitment to ensuring that policing actions are not politicized or misinterpreted.
The Inspire Her Conference & Awards 2025, set to take place in Abuja on 17th April, promises to be a celebration of female leadership, resilience, and achievement across Africa.
The event will be led by the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and the Honourable Minister for State FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmud, alongside other influential women leaders.
The conference and awards, organised by the Inspiring Youths Africa Initiative & Magazine and Rest Logic Nigeria, will honour a diverse group of exceptional women for their contributions to society and leadership.
Among the distinguished recipients of the Inspire Her Award are Halima Buba, Chief Executive Officer of Sun Trust Bank; Hajiya Umma Getso, the 2019 Vice Presidential Candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP); Hon. Stella Okotete, Executive Director of NEXIM Bank; and Engr. Fatima Umar Farouk, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women Affairs.
The conference will also highlight the achievements of other accomplished female leaders, aiming to inspire women across the continent and encourage resilience, inclusion, and progress.
With the theme “Accelerate Action: Building Resilience,” the conference will address key issues such as gender equality, leadership inclusion, human capital development, work-life balance, and poverty eradication.
In addition to the award ceremony, the event will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions, creating a platform for dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing African women today.
Attendees will have the chance to engage with top female leaders from both corporate and private sectors, share ideas, and explore potential solutions to enhance women’s roles in leadership and societal progress.
Amb. Jeremiah Agala, Executive Director of the Inspiring Youths Africa Initiative, and Co-Convener Dr. Joy Franklyn Ekemezie, emphasised that the conference would highlight the excellence, hard work, and resilience of African and Nigerian women.
“This year’s conference will feature the Inspire Her Fire Chat, a new addition designed to provide deeper insights into the journeys of our honourees and inspire the next generation of women leaders,” Agala said.
The event, which is expected to attract over 1,000 participants, will take place at the prestigious Nicon Luxury Hotels in Abuja, with a diverse audience that includes female youth leaders, students, women’s organisations, decision-makers, and the international community.
With a limited number of slots available, organisers are urging those interested to register early, as admission is strictly by registration.
The conference promises to be a powerful event, one that will not only celebrate the success of African women but also create pathways for future empowerment and leadership.
Early Sunday, a missile barrage targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, injuring at least three individuals and igniting multiple fires, according to the city’s mayor. This attack occurred just two days after a Russian strike in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown resulted in the deaths of 18 people.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that emergency services were dispatched to two districts within Kyiv, while the Ukrainian air force confirmed that missiles had penetrated the northern Chernihiv region.
“Explosions have been reported in the capital, and air defense systems are currently engaged,” Klitschko stated on Telegram. He urged residents to seek shelter, warning, “The missile assault on Kyiv persists.”
So far, three injuries have been recorded, with fires erupting in non-residential structures and damage inflicted on eight vehicles.
This onslaught coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump advocating for a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, over three years into Moscow’s extensive invasion, while also seeking to mend relations with the Kremlin.
Poland’s military announced that it, along with allied forces, had taken to the skies in response to Russian strikes near the western Ukrainian border, with ground-based air defense systems on high alert.
“Due to the heightened activity of long-range Russian aviation targeting locations within western Ukraine, Polish and allied aircraft operations in our airspace have commenced,” stated its operational command on X. “These measures are intended to ensure security in regions bordering the threatened zones.”
On Sunday, Russia’s defense ministry claimed that its air defense units had intercepted and destroyed 11 Ukrainian drones.
**Zelensky Critiques U.S. Response**
On Saturday, President Zelensky criticized the U.S. embassy for what he termed a “weak” statement that failed to hold Russia accountable for the recent deadly missile strike on his hometown of Kryvyi Rig.
The missile impacted a residential area near a children’s playground in central Ukraine, resulting in the tragic deaths of nine children, aged between three and 17. In a heartfelt social media post, Zelensky called out the U.S. embassy for its reluctance to name Russia as the aggressor.
“Regrettably, the American embassy’s response is surprisingly disappointing: such a powerful nation, yet such a feeble reaction,” Zelensky remarked. “They hesitate to even mention ‘Russian’ when discussing the missile that claimed the lives of children.”
Zelensky’s remarks followed a post by U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink on X, expressing horror over the missile strike near a playground and restaurant. In his evening address, Zelensky emphasized, “It is both incorrect and perilous to remain silent about the fact that it is Russia perpetrating these crimes against children with ballistic missiles. This only emboldens the perpetrators in Moscow to continue their aggression and disregard diplomatic solutions.”
The president, who hails from Kryvyi Rig, where the pre-war population was approximately 600,000, conveyed his condolences and called for a three-day mourning period on April 7, 8, and 9.
“This is nothing short of a mass murder of civilians,” stated Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rig military administration.
Images shared by rescue services depicted several victims, with one body found near a playground swing. In response, Russia’s defense ministry claimed it executed a “precision strike” against a meeting of military commanders and Western instructors in the area. The Ukrainian army’s General Staff countered that Moscow was attempting to obscure its heinous actions and disseminating false information, labeling Russia’s actions as “war crimes.”
While Trump continues to encourage both sides to pursue a ceasefire, his administration has struggled to mediate a mutually acceptable agreement. Zelensky remarked that the missile attack underscored Russia’s lack of interest in halting its full-scale invasion.
The Ukrainian president reported “significant progress” following discussions with British and French military leaders in Kyiv on Friday. They explored plans for a “reassurance” force from London and Paris to be deployed to Ukraine if a resolution to the conflict is achieved.
Zelensky shared on social media that the meeting with British Chief of the Defence Staff Tony Radakin and French counterpart Thierry Burkhard yielded “the initial details on how the security contingent of partners can be deployed.” This initiative represents one of the latest efforts by European leaders to coordinate a response after Trump initiated direct negotiations with the Kremlin, sidelining them.