Cars, airport taxis, and people were stranded while some were barred from entering the Abuja International Airport on Thursday as part of a protest by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The demonstrators attempted to enter the airport but were stopped by the military at the checkpoint.
Protesters were enraged by the refusal and blocked the airport’s access and departure ports, causing heavy vehicle traffic on both sides.
Arriving and outgoing passengers at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport were stuck, and free movement was also restricted.
While on a demonstration, the labour representatives made sure that they barred both major access and departure points of the airport, as stated previously by the union during a news conference in Abuja.
Passengers journey to a road distance from the airport to meet their cabs, while others trek to meet their aircraft.
As vehicles waited for the demonstration to conclude, there was heavy gridlock on the way to the airport.
Amid the pandemonium passengers were seen debating the unusual scenario, with some blaming the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, for the strike action that followed the attack on the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero.
News About Nigeria reports that following the NLC’s instruction, unions in the aviation industry recommended the cancellation of all flights to Owerri on Wednesday.
The aviation unions, including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots And Engineers (NAAPE), blacklisted and suspended flights to Imo State in response to the directive.
