Motorists and residents using the Calabar–Itu Highway have expressed frustration after more than 100 cattle reportedly occupied a major stretch of the busy road around the Itu axis on Tuesday evening.
According to a report by The PUNCH, the cattle were being led by herders when they spread across both lanes of the highway, forcing motorists to stop and leaving vehicles stranded for almost an hour.
The incident reportedly caused panic among commuters, with some drivers forced to manoeuvre dangerously to avoid colliding with the animals. Although the cattle were eventually moved away from the highway, traffic continued to build up because of the backlog of vehicles.
One commercial driver, Etim Bassey, called for stronger regulation of herders, saying motorists spent almost an hour in one spot while the cattle moved freely across the road.
A commuter travelling from Uyo to Calabar, Rosemary Ukpong, described the situation as recurrent and called for action against open grazing on the highway.
The latest incident comes amid longstanding concerns over the condition and safety of the Calabar–Itu corridor. The highway has experienced prolonged rehabilitation challenges, with the Federal Government terminating the Ekim–Odukpani section contract in December 2025 over alleged poor performance by the contractor.
The cattle incident therefore adds another concern for motorists already dealing with congestion and other challenges along the important route connecting Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
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