More Than 100 Cows Halted a Main Road for Hours, Leaving Motorists Stranded.

The incident reportedly occurred around the Itu axis, along the major road linking Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, when a large herd of cattle spread across the highway.

More than 100 cows brought traffic to a standstill along the Calabar–Itu Highway, leaving motorists and commuters stranded for hours and raising fresh concerns about the dangers of allowing cattle to move freely on busy highways.

Cattle Bring Traffic to a Standstill

According to reports, the cattle were being led by herders when they moved onto the highway and occupied sections of the road.

The animals reportedly moved slowly despite motorists sounding their horns, while some were said to have laid down on the road.

As a result, vehicles were unable to move freely, creating a long queue of motorists who had to wait for the cattle to clear the highway.

One commercial driver, reportedly described the experience as frustrating, saying his bus remained in one spot for almost an hour.

Another driver, Aniekan Lazarus, said motorists were forced to make dangerous manoeuvres around the animals in an attempt to continue their journeys.

Commuters Raise Safety Concerns

The incident has also sparked concerns among commuters who regularly use the route.

A passenger travelling from Uyo to Calabar, Rosemary Ukpong, reportedly said encounters with cattle on the road had become frequent and called on authorities to address the situation.

She expressed concern about the possible consequences if an emergency vehicle needed to pass through the highway while cattle were blocking the road.

The situation also highlights the risks faced by motorists when large animals occupy busy highways, particularly on roads carrying significant volumes of commercial and private vehicles.

Calls for Government Action

Some motorists and residents have called on the authorities to take stronger measures to prevent cattle from obstructing major highways.

An immigration officer who was reportedly travelling along the route also expressed concern and urged the Federal Government to take action to prevent a repeat of the incident.

The issue of cattle movement and open grazing has remained a sensitive subject in Nigeria, with different states adopting varying regulations concerning livestock movement and grazing.

Cows Eventually Moved Off the Road

Reports indicated that the cattle were eventually moved away from the highway.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the need for better management of livestock movement and improved safety measures along major Nigerian highways.

For motorists using the Calabar–Itu route, the hope is that similar disruptions can be prevented in the future to ensure safer and smoother movement.

TheNewsNaija | Breaking News, Nigeria & Global Stories

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