Weeks after Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), boasted that the federal government had enhanced the security situation on the Kaduna-Abuja highway, it appears criminals have returned to the ever-busy road, turning it into the flashpoint it was.
On Monday morning, Shehu Sani, a former senator from Kaduna Central Senatorial District, posted on X that kidnappers mounted a blockade on the said motorway on Sunday night and abducted an unverified number of people.
Two of his political friends, he added, escaped being kidnapped by a whisker, running into hiding through the bush.
“Just when we felt safer, yesterday, kidnappers returned to the Kaduna-Abuja road. They blocked the road and abducted some scores of people around 9 pm near Kateri village,” his post read in part.
“Two of my honourable friends from both the ruling and opposition parties had to run through the bush like Usain Bolt. But despite this incidence, there is a stronger security presence along the route than it used to be.”
Meanwhile, the NSA mentioned in November 2023 that the government had eliminated all security threats on the road, assuring Nigerians that they could now travel without any concern about their safety.
He stated this during the 19th Annual Nigerian Editors Conference held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on November 16.
“Today, I can tell you that you (can) travel from Abuja to Kaduna. Yes, it’s happening,’’ said Ribadu. “This is just one way of tackling insecurity. Kidnapping today has replaced armed robbery in Nigeria because people don’t carry money anymore. That is what is going on in the country.’’
Last Saturday, FIJ reported that some residents of Ida, Pashin and Gidan Dogo communities around the Bwari axis of the road came out in their numbers to express frustration about insecurity in their area.
RE`AD ALSO: VIDEO: ‘We Can No Longer Sleep’ — Residents Protest Abductions on Abuja-Kaduna Highway
Motorists became stranded for as long as the placard-bearing protesters grounded vehicular movement on the road.
“We can no longer sleep. Just this (Friday) morning, kidnappers kidnapped seven people from the Chitra community. This is just one of them. Within the last two weeks, more than 20 people have been kidnapped unchallenged. We are beginning to lose confidence in Nigerian security because we have been put to the wall,” one of the protesters told journalists.
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