Tension flared on Saturday, February 21, 2026, as angry protesters barricaded a section of the busy Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, leaving hundreds of motorists and commuters stranded for hours.
The demonstrators, who gathered in large numbers early this morning, blocked the highway with logs, tyres and other objects, bringing traffic to a complete standstill in both directions. Many of them carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “Fulani Herdsmen Are Occupying Our Farm Lands,” “They’re Raping Our Women,” and “They’re Armed, Killing Us and Taking Over Our Communities.”
The protest, which observers say stems from growing concerns over insecurity in parts of Ebonyi State, caused severe gridlock along the ever-busy expressway linking the South East to the South-South region.
Several road users who spoke to reporters lamented their ordeal, saying they had been trapped on the road for over six hours without movement. Commercial drivers, private vehicle owners, and passengers described the experience as “frustrating and exhausting,” noting that the prolonged blockade disrupted business activities and travel plans.
“We have been here since morning. No movement. People are tired and hungry,” one stranded commuter said, calling on authorities to urgently intervene.
The protesters are demanding swift action from the Ebonyi State Government, urging security agencies to address alleged attacks on farmers and rural communities. They insisted that the continued insecurity has forced many residents to abandon their farmlands out of fear.
As of the time of filing this report, security operatives were yet to fully disperse the crowd, and traffic remained heavily backed up along the affected axis of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway.
More details to follow…
