Tinubu’s Return From France Triggers Airport Roadblocks, Travellers Stranded In Lagos
Tinubu’s Return From France Triggers Airport Roadblocks, Travellers Stranded In Lagos
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s return to Nigeria on Tuesday was preceded by heavy security operations and roadblocks in Abuja and Lagos, leaving travellers and other road users stranded as military and police personnel took over major routes leading to the airports.
Tinubu, who left Nigeria on August 30 for a working vacation in Europe, departed Paris, France, on Tuesday and is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos later in the evening.
The Presidency had earlier announced that Tinubu extended his working vacation by a few days after spending time in London before travelling to Paris, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bollore.
The President’s return through Lagos was also confirmed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said Tinubu would arrive in Lagos later on Tuesday.
Iarrived a bit late for my flight in Abuja this afternoon because of an unusual roadblock mounted by the military and the police in anticipation of Tinubu’s return. I just arrived in Lagos and this is the kind of madness that is going on at the Lagos airport. How can the busiest airport in the commercial capital of a country be put on lockdown for hours because an absentee President is on his way back to the country. The whole of Lagos will be on lockdown for a man whose disastrous regime has ushered in nothing but terrible policies, mass poverty and corruption. Bayo Onanuga announced that Tinubu will be landing in Lagos later in the evening. Why subject citizens and foreigners to this long horrendous treatment when Tinubu’s plane is not even on the ground yet? Is this the best way to protect him? Is there no better way to manage presidential movement in this country? Only God knows when I’ll get to my destination today. I’m so disgusted.
— Inibehe Effiong (@InibeheEffiong) September 29, 2026
According to the State House, Tinubu chose to fly into Lagos first to honour the memory of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
He is also expected to attend the premiere of a documentary on Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre in Lagos on October 1, Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
However, the President’s return triggered significant movement restrictions around airports in Abuja and Lagos, with military and police personnel mounting roadblocks as part of the security arrangements for his arrival.
A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who said he experienced the disruption firsthand, criticised the restrictions and questioned the need to subject travellers and residents to prolonged delays over the President’s movement.
Effiong said he arrived late for his flight in Abuja on Tuesday because of what he described as an unusual roadblock mounted by security personnel in anticipation of Tinubu’s return.
“I arrived a bit late for my flight in Abuja this afternoon because of an unusual roadblock mounted by the military and the police in anticipation of Tinubu’s return,” Effiong said.
He said the disruption continued after he arrived in Lagos, where he witnessed what he described as a major security lockdown around the airport.
“I just arrived in Lagos and this is the kind of madness that is going on at the Lagos airport,” he said.
Effiong questioned why the busiest airport in Nigeria’s commercial capital would effectively be restricted for hours because the President was returning to the country.
“How can the busiest airport in the commercial capital of a country be put on lockdown for hours because an absentee President is on his way back to the country,” he asked.
He further criticised the disruption caused to travellers, residents and foreigners, questioning whether the security arrangements were the most appropriate way of protecting the President.
“The whole of Lagos will be on lockdown for a man whose disastrous regime has ushered in nothing but terrible policies, mass poverty and corruption,” Effiong said.
His remarks came after Onanuga announced that Tinubu would be landing in Lagos later in the evening.
Effiong questioned why citizens and foreigners had to endure what he described as prolonged and difficult treatment when the President’s aircraft had not yet landed.
“Why subject citizens and foreigners to this long horrendous treatment when Tinubu’s plane is not even on the ground yet?” he asked.
“Is this the best way to protect him?
“Is there no better way to manage presidential movement in this country?”
Effiong also expressed uncertainty about how long the disruption would last, saying the restrictions had affected his movement after arriving in Lagos.
“Only God knows when I’ll get to my destination today,” he said.
“I’m so disgusted.”
Tinubu’s arrival in Lagos follows a four-week period outside Nigeria, during which the Presidency maintained that he remained in contact with officials at home and continued directing government affairs.
The President initially left Abuja on August 30 for London and subsequently travelled to Paris, where he undertook engagements that the Presidency described as part of a working vacation.
The Presidency has also said Tinubu will remain in Lagos for the Independence Day celebrations on October 1 before returning to Abuja next weekend. Reports on his itinerary indicate that he is expected to participate in official engagements in Lagos during his stay.
The security measures surrounding his return have, however, generated complaints from travellers, with Effiong’s account highlighting the impact of the presidential movement on ordinary commuters attempting to access or leave the airports.
