There was a state of confusion and gridlock on Monday morning I’m Abuja as heavily armed police operatives barricaded major roads leading to the Federal Secretariat and the iconic Eagles Square, grounding movement and fueling tension across the nation’s capital.
The dramatic security lockdown, which began before dawn, was reportedly a preemptive measure to forestall protests over the controversial cybercrime law and growing calls against the emergency rule in Rivers State—a political storm that has been gathering strength for weeks.
According to Abuja Network News, dozens of police vehicles were stationed at strategic junctions, turning the usually busy corridors into impassable zones. Workers, civil servants, and early-morning commuters were caught unawares, forced to abandon vehicles and trek long distances under the stern watch of security agents.
“I left home at 6:30 a.m., only to be dropped off far from my office. The entire Secretariat area was cordoned off. It felt like a war zone,” said Bassey Okon, a civil servant.
The lockdown caused massive traffic snarls stretching several kilometers, with angry motorists honking endlessly in frustration. The city centre became a theatre of confusion as citizens scrambled to understand the reason behind the sudden clampdown.
So far, no official statement has been released by the police or any security agency to explain the unprecedented disruption. However, insiders suggest the move was aimed at neutralizing mobilization for a massive protest that had been quietly brewing on social media..