He urged security agents to intensify patrol and surveillance on the nation’s highways to control the situation.
Luxury bus drivers have said their lives are in danger during this
Christmas season following incessant attacks on their members by
hoodlums on the highways.
The Chairman of National Association of Luxury Bus Owners of
Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Ejiofor, disclosed this on Thursday at a press
conference in Onitsha, Anambra State.
He urged security agents to intensify patrol and surveillance on the nation’s highways to control the situation.
He said the call had become necessary following incessant attacks
on members and commuters by armed robbers, kidnappers and other hoodlums
on highways.
He said the situation had adversely affected the socioeconomic activities of members and Nigerians in general.
He called for drastic measures to arrest the security challenges.
He said, “the major flashpoints included Benin by-pass,
Omotosho-Ijebu Ode, Abuja-Kaduna, Abuja-Nassarawa, Makurdi, and
Elele-Port Harcourt highways.
He added,” These criminal elements operate unmolested with dangerous weapons including sophisticated guns and machetes.“They block the roads, divert vehicles and passengers into the
thick bush unchallenged and unleash terror on their victims. Sometimes
the victims are held for up to a week.“Some of them at the Benin by-pass had confessed to victims
recently that they were Fulani herdsmen, who had lived in the bush for
many years.
“They also claimed that security operatives know that they
occupy these areas and that nobody will come to their rescue unless they
part with ransom or they lose their lives.“The disturbing aspect of a recent Benin by-pass attack is that
a victim, who returned from the United States of America vowed never to
return to Nigeria unless the security condition improved.”
He said life should not be allowed to be so cheap in the country,
adding, “We, therefore, call on the Inspector General of Police, Mr
Ibrahim Idris, to beef up security in the affected areas.
“A joint force of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, DSS, and
armed Civil Defense personnel should mount surveillance and carry out a
regular patrol to tackle this ugly trend, especially during this
Yuletide.
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