Mokwa-Bida highway blocked by protesters demanding action on bandit abductions

In a bold move to draw attention to the persistent banditry plaguing their community, residents of Niger State have taken to the streets, blocking the critical Mokwa-Bida highway. This vital transportation artery, stretching over 100 kilometres, is a key route for motorists travelling between the Southwest and the North. According to eyewitnesses, all entry points into Mokwa have been sealed off by the protesters, who are demanding urgent action from the government to rescue their abducted loved ones. Saliu Mohammed, one of the protesters, alleged that 15 residents were recently kidnapped by suspected bandits, a claim that could not be independently verified. The protesters have vowed to sustain their demonstration until the victims are safely returned. Commuters, including Joy Amaechi, who was travelling from Ilorin to Abuja, have been left stranded, with some spending hours on the road with no end in sight. 'I have been here for five hours, and it's really frustrating,' Amaechi said, calling on the government to intervene swiftly. Henry Nwachuckwu, a driver with a popular mass transit company, also shared his ordeal, stating that he arrived at Mokwa at about 7am on Sunday, only to find the road blocked. As of the time of reporting, the protesters remained resolute, refusing to leave the highway until their demands were met.