Commuters, motorists appeal for security on Benin-Auchi road

Commuters and motorists plying the Benin-Auchi road have appealed to the state government and security agents to save them from kidnappers operating on the road.

Some of them, who spoke to Niger Delta Trust, said hardly a day passed without someone being kidnapped on the road.

They said an urgent action was needed because of the advent of the Sallah holidays when many people will be travelling home for the celebration.

A commuter, Ibrahim Abudu, said the road has become a nightmare for road users as hoodlums kidnap people daily.

“We hardly travel to our villages these days because of kidnappers, and once you enter the road, your mind can’t be at peace because you can be kidnapped any moment and you are not sure of getting to your destination.”

He said last week, passengers in three buses were kidnapped but the police were able to rescue some of them.

A driver, Isaac Edinor, who works for one of the transport companies, lamented that kidnapping on the road is becoming a daily occurrence.

“Once you are on the road, you are not safe because you can run into them any time. So the moment you enter the road, just cross your mind that you may meet them.”

Another motorist who simply gave his name as Musa, said some people have resigned from their jobs because of the fear of plying the road.

“Some people have resigned as a result of kidnapping on the road. No one is sure of reaching his or her destination safely again. Many have been killed on the road in an attempt to escape from kidnappers,” he said. Police spokesman, Kontongs Bello, when contacted, said the command would continue to change its strategy towards addressing the situation on the road.

“We have foiled a number of attempts to kidnap passengers and arrested many suspects,’’ he said.

He assured commuters that adequate arrangements have been made to secure all persons plying the road.