A mild drama unfolded along the Calabar-Itu highway on Tuesday evening as a large herd of cattle took over a significant stretch of the road, causing a massive gridlock and panic among motorists and commuters. The incident occurred around the Itu axis of the busy highway, which links Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. The cattle, numbering more than 100, were being led by herders when they spread across both lanes, bringing traffic to a halt.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with vehicles stranded for hours as the cattle moved leisurely on the road, defying blaring horns. A commercial driver, Etim Bassey, recounted his experience, stating that it was a terrible experience that lasted almost an hour. He expressed concern that the herders were walking behind the cattle without control, and some cows were even lying on the road.
The incident has been described as recurrent by some commuters. A female commuter, Mrs Rosemary Ukpong, who was traveling from Uyo to Calabar, lamented that the situation had become a regular occurrence on the Calabar-Itu road. She expressed fear that if there is an emergency, it could be difficult to respond quickly due to the cattle on the road.
Other motorists also shared their experiences, stating that they were forced to maneuver dangerously to avoid ramming into the animals. Aniekan Lazarus, a commercial driver, and a senior immigration officer who wished to remain anonymous, both expressed frustration at the situation. The immigration officer urged the Federal Government to act swiftly in cautioning the herders.
The incident has sparked calls for the government to regulate herders and address the issue of open grazing on the highway. Etim Bassey and the senior immigration officer both emphasized the need for the government to take action to prevent such incidents in the future. The situation has been described as sad and annoying, with some viewing it as a slap on the country's leaders.
As of the time of filing this report, the cattle had been moved off the road, but traffic was still building up due to the backlog of vehicles. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of motorists and commuters on the Calabar-Itu highway.
The Federal Government has been urged to take action to address the issue of herders and cattle on the highway. The Punch newspaper reported that the incident was a significant disruption to traffic and economic activity in the region.
Key points
- The incident caused a massive gridlock and panic among motorists and commuters.
- The situation has been described as recurrent, with some calling for the government to regulate herders and address the issue of open grazing on the highway.
- The Federal Government has been urged to take action to caution herders and prevent such incidents in the future.
