Motorists, commuters commend security network on North-East roads

Some motorists in the North-Eastern part of the country have commended the roles of security personnel in ensuring security on major roads across the region.

A cross section of the drivers and passengers made their feelings known in Adamawa, Bauchi State, Damaturu, Gombe State and Maiduguri.

The security challenge caused by the insurgency led to the creation of checkpoints on major roads in Borno, Yobe and northern part of Adamawa.

Speaking on the heavy security presence on roads in Borno, Malam Bamai Mustafa, said that drivers were familiar with the security presence and work closely with them.

Mustafa, who is the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mairi Motor Park in Maiduguri metropolis, said that in some areas the security personnel not only set up checkpoint but escorted motorists beyond black spots for safety.

He observed that the security presence availed motorists and other road users sense of security.

A driver, plying Maiduguri-Bama-Mubi road, Tijani Ibrahim lauded the impact of the security presence on the roads, adding that without their support, most transporters could be forced out of business.

“The 75-kilometre Maiduguri – Bama road is open daily, the military ensure effective surveillance of the road to protect drivers and passengers,” he said.

Another driver, Nuhu Bala who ply Maiduguri – Damaturu road, said that security agencies adopted effective measures to contain the insurgents’ threats along the 130-kilometre road.

“The presence of the military and other security agencies on the road linking Maiduguri to other parts of the country is a welcome development, it should be sustained until everything bordering on security is normalised,” he said.

Also, Gov. Babagana Zulum said the improvement in security situation prompted the re-opening of Bama-Banki road closed in the past nine years.

Zulum said that his administration was also working with the military authorities to facilitate re-opening of Maiduguri – Damboa road to link the capital with southern part of the state.

The Bama-Banki road is a trans-border route linking Nigeria to Republic of Cameroon.

Moreso, motorists in Bauchi have lauded security agencies for securing highways against criminal activities in the state.

Mr Abdullahi Mohammmed, Chairman, Bauchi State chapter of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), described the the presence of security operatives on the highway as “commendable.

“With the improved security on the highways, the roads are secured, it allowed passengers, drivers and road users to move without fear.

“Kidnapping and other form of criminalities on the highways have reduced drastically in the north-eastern region.

“Presently, motorists move freely on the highway without fear of molestation or threats by criminal elements,” he said.

Malam Aliyu Misa, a driver, noted that the mere presence of security men on the roads could scare away criminals and assures road users of safety.

While commending the security personnel for their sacrifice, Misa urged them to sustain the tempo to clear the roads of criminals.

Mr Samuel Alyoda, a passenger, lauded the security personnel on the highways for doing their best to scare the bad people on the roads.

Alyoda said that the government should continue to provide security on the road, especially during ember months.

In his contribution, Mr Ahmed Wakil, the spokesman, Bauchi State Police Command, reiterated the commitment of the command to ensure security on the roads across the state.

However, Alhaji Bulama Kaku, NURTW’s Chairman in Yobe, described Maiduguri-Damaturu road as dangerous to motorists and passengers.

Kaku said that terrorists’ attacks on motorists plying the road showed no sign of abetting.

“The terrorists occasionally block Buni Yadi road,” he alleged.

Kaku, however, said that other roads across the state, including Gashua-Damaturu and Potiskum- Damaturu, are safe.

He called for deployment of more security personnel to ensure safety on the roads.

In Gombe, stakeholders in the transportation sector have called for special patrols ahead of Christmas to check attacks on road users.

Mr Martins Afudu of the Luxury Bus Owners Association of Nigeria, said that there had been a surge in robbery cases against their members while plying the roads across the country.

Afudu said that Gombe and Bauchi had no security challenge as the major challenge was recorded on roads between Jos-Benue- Lafia and Akwanga.

He appealed to the federal government to beef up security, especially in Benue, Lafia and Akwanga and increase surveillance and patrols to keep criminal elements off the roads.

Mr Livinus Nwanachu, the Manager, Gombawa Motors, said that the roads were dangerous to ply in recent times, especially in Kaduna, Benue and Nasarawa axis.

Similarly, the NURTW in Adamawa has directed its members to shun travelling at night for safety of the passengers.

Alhaji Umaru Dan Malam, Chairman of the union in the state, said that the union had warned its members to avoid night journey.

“In Adamawa we don’t have Kidnapping cases on our major highways, however, there are cases of robbery on the roads especially at night,” Dan Malam said.

He noted that security on roads had improved significantly in Adamawa in spite of security challenges in parts of the country.

Also, DSP Sulaiman Nguroje, the Police Public Relations Officer, Adamawa State Police Command, said that patrol teams had been deployed on major highways across the state.

“The are no reports of kidnapping, however, cases of robbery are recorded along some major roads across the state.

“Many suspects were arrested in connection with highway robbery.

“The command intensified patrol and there was significant improvement of security on highways in the state,” Nguroje said.

According to him, the command is sensitising passengers and drivers to why it is good to avoid night journey for safety.

Also, Alhaji Isa Mai Bulawus, a textile dealer at Central Market, Jimeta, said that traders from the market travelled to Kano for business transactions weekly.

“From Yola-Kano, we don’t experience any security challenge, especially during the day journey.

“The major challenge we are facing is in the night, therefore, we directed our members to stop night journey,” he said.