Military Reopens Maiduguri-Bama-Banki Road
FG begins enforcement of compliance with road usage regulations, Monday
The Nigerian military on Saturday reopened Maiduguri-BamaBanki road closed at the peak of Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.
The road, which passed through fringes of Sambisa forest was closed on 1st September, 2013 by the military to reduce carnage and allow for unimpeded attack on the terrorist group.
The road is strategic to the region as it leads into three neighbouring countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger and passes through Bama and Gwoza, which were both held by Boko Haram at the peak of the insurgency. Declaring the road reopened, Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, who was represented by the deputy governor, Alhaji Usman Durkwa, said Borno people would continue to pray for the successes of the Nigerian President and Military in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency.
He said the state government would continue to support the federal government rebuild the North-east and ensure the return of the IDPs back to their original homes.
He noted that security was the job of everybody, urging all and sundry to support and cooperate with the security agencies to return peace permanently to the state.
He said he was not in any doubt that the reopening of the road would boost socio economic activities of the area, calling on the people to carefully use the road.
The head of counter-military operation in the North East (Operation Lafiya Dole), Maj. Gen. Rogers Nicholas, said following improved security in the area since he assumed office and degradation of the Boko Haram insurgents, the Nigerian military deemed it fit for residents of the area to start returning back home and resettle down in their communities to continue their peaceful livelihood.
He said it was also aimed at returning the commercial activities of the area. He however advised the Boko Haram insurgents to embrace peace and surrender so that they can return to their people and live in harmony.
Nicholas urged the road users to be careful and watchful while plying the road, promising that the military will still provide security to motorists plying the road for now depending on when it is deemed fit for the motorists to ply the road freely and alone.
The Chairman National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW), Borno State, who was represented by the State Secretary of the Union, Alhaji Ahmadu Musa thanked the Federal government, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Armed forces for reopening the road which he described as a unique commercial route for the Sahara trade since time immemorial that has been closed since 2013.
He said the closure of the road had paralyzed commercial activities in the area and rendered most businessmen and women jobless and hopeless.
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