On Wednesday, motorists and commuters on the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene federal highway faced severe disruptions after a female truck driver transporting cement from Calabar blocked the road to protest harassment by local touts.
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The incident occurred just past the second gate of the Umuahia Building Material Market, Isieke, near Umudike.
The driver’s action halted traffic for several hours, trapping numerous vehicles attempting to enter or leave Umuahia.
Familiar with the route, some drivers sought alternative local paths to reach their destinations, especially those traveling to Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
The female driver was not present at the scene, but her husband had been contacted by authorities.
Security personnel, including soldiers and members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), arrived to restore order.
They pleaded with the driver’s husband to contact his wife to remove the truck and ease the traffic. Despite his efforts, her phone remained unreachable.
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Sympathizers expressed frustration and anger towards the touts, accusing them of detaining the driver at the spot since Tuesday night.
By Wednesday morning, in an act of defiance, she blocked the highway to voice her grievances.
A traffic officer at the scene reported that one of the touts had been arrested and taken to the police station.
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Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, confirmed that the Head of the Joint Taskforce had dispatched personnel to investigate the incident.
He emphasized the need to arrest and prosecute the touts and clear the blocked truck to prevent further inconvenience to commuters.
Kanu reiterated the state government’s commitment to eradicating touts and illegal revenue collectors from Abia roads to ensure the safety and convenience of road users.
