The movement restriction directed by the Inspector-General of Police for the Edo State governorship election on Saturday morning left commuters and motorists stranded at Jattu junction on the Benin-Auchi-Okene highway in Etsako West Local Government Area.
The affected persons had anticipated that enforcement of the order would begin at 8 a.m., only to discover that security agents had blocked strategic routes before 7 a.m.
It was gathered that the police, personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Services and other paramilitary agencies were part of the movement restriction team.
It was further learned that a significant number of heavy-duty trucks, smaller vehicles, motorcycles, and commuters were in long queues at the junction.
Some of the drivers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria said they were traveling from Abuja to Delta but were refused passage by the security personnel.
Similarly, some of the commuters stranded at the junction said they had gone out of their homes to buy food for breakfast before heading to the polling stations to vote, not knowing they would be caught up in the movement restriction.
Mr Musa Adamu, a truck driver, told NAN that the army refused them passage despite explanations that they were only passing through Edo en route to Delta.
“I am coming from Abuja, going to Delta, and I thought we could cross Edo before 8 a.m.
“I am surprised that upon reaching Jattu junction, we were stopped by military personnel who had barricaded the road and refused us access,” he said.
Another motorist, Hakeem Saliu, said he left Benin early, intending to cross the junction, but was held up before 7 a.m.
“The security personnel said we should remain here until the election is over, and that is unfair,” Saliu said.
Edo decides: Motorists, commuters stranded in Auchi over movement restriction
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