Hundreds of articulated vehicles have blocked two lanes of the Makurdi-Lafia dual carriageway in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, over an alleged clash with Nigerian Immigration Service officers.

The situation left locals and travellers passing through Makurdi stranded.

The spokesperson for the Benue Police Command, DSP Aondogu Orchia, said the blockade stemmed from an altercation between truck drivers and immigration officers at the checkpoint near Agan Toll Gate.

Mr Orchia said that according to reports, they had an altercation, and some of the drivers were injured.

“The drivers came back to the Lafia garage and mobilised others to block the road.

“Currently, the Makurdi Council chairman, the area commander, and the leadership of the drivers are in a meeting to resolve the issue,” he said.

It was observed that the front windscreens of some vehicles were smashed, and military personnel were also present to ensure the situation did not escalate.

One military officer who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity said they did not know exactly what transpired, but they were there to maintain law and order.

The officer said the situation was compounded by the absence of the drivers who abandoned their vehicles and left the scene.

A driver, Yusuf Muhammed, told journalists that the problem started at a revenue checkpoint where drivers were compelled to pay.

“I can say exactly how it started because my vehicle is very far behind, but I learnt that the drivers whose windscreens were smashed are insisting that they must be replaced before they leave the road,” he said.

A passenger travelling in a Sharon bus that got trapped in the middle of the blockade said that they had been there since 11:00 a.m.

(NAN)