Traffic along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway has been shut down as local residents took to the road early Monday morning to protest incessant kidnappings along the stretch of road.

According to eye-witnesses, the gridlock which had lasted for over two hours at the time of filing this report is due to protests from members of Gauraka and Gwazunu communities in Tafa Local Government of Niger state. Both communities lie just after Zuma rock along the Expressway. The residents are airing their grievance over the seeming lack of action to tackle the incessant kidnapping perpetuated around their communities.

Attempts by the Chairman of the Local Government Area to placate the protesters failed as he was said to have been chased from the scene and was only able to escape following the firing of shots in the air by his police details.