Travellers Left Stranded as Edo Community Protest Shuts Down Major Highway

Movement of people and vehicles was brought to a standstill for several hours on Monday following a protest by residents of Idokpa Community in the Aduduwawa axis of Edo State, who blocked a major highway connecting Benin City to other parts of the country.

The protest, which affected both commercial and private transportation, was triggered by a prolonged power outage that residents said had lasted for several weeks without any official intervention. In response, community members mounted barricades across the busy bypass, making it impossible for vehicles to either enter or exit the area.

As a result of the blockade, travellers heading toward northern states were left stranded for hours, while tricycles, buses, and other vehicles remained trapped in heavy traffic. The congestion stretched along the highway as motorists waited for the situation to be resolved.

The protesting residents reportedly insisted that the road would remain closed until government representatives and members of the media arrived to listen to their complaints and address the ongoing electricity problem affecting the community.

Speaking during the protest, a resident identified as Doris explained that the extended blackout had severely disrupted daily life and economic activities in the area. According to her, many small businesses that depend on electricity had suffered losses, forcing residents to take to the streets as a last resort to draw attention to their situation.

She noted that the demonstration was not intended to cause chaos but to highlight the hardship faced by the community due to the lack of power supply and the absence of official response despite repeated complaints.