By Meletus EZE
The National Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (NALBON) says an intensified patrol and surveillance of the nation’s highways will quell cases of armed robbery, kidnap and other violent attacks by hoodlums.
The National Chairman of NALBON, Mr Joseph Ejiofor, made the call in Onitsha on Thursday while addressing newsmen on some of the security challenges facing the group.
Ejiofor said the call became vital following the incessant attacks on members and commuters plying the highways on daily basis.
He said the frequent attacks were affecting the economic and social activities of members and the general public.
He, however, urged the Police and other security agencies to find lasting solutions to insecurity on the highway.
Ejiofor listed some of the major flash points where the criminals operated to include Benin by-pass, Omotosho-Ijebu Ode, Abuja-Kaduna, Abuja-Nassarawa, Makurdi and Elele-Port Harcourt highways, among others.
“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 Benin by-pass even confessed to victims recently that they are Fulani herdsmen, who had lived in the bush for many years,” said Ejiofor.
He said the bandits also told their victims that security operatives knew that they occupied the bushes and so, nobody would come to their rescue unless they parted with ransom.
“The disturbing aspect of a recent Benin by-pass attack is that a victim, who recently returned from the U.S., has vowed never to return to Nigeria unless the security condition improved,” he said.
Ejiofor described the recent killing of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh as “a sad development and condemnable in all ramifications.”
He said Badeh’s killing was one of such dastardly acts of the highway hoodlums.
“We, therefore, call on the I-G of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, to instruct police formations to the affected areas to protect lives and property.
“A joint patrol of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, DSS and armed Civil Defense personnel should mount surveillance and carry out regular patrol to tackle this ugly trend, especially during the Yuletide.
“We have absolute confidence in the Nigeria Police to neutralise the activities of these fearless hoodlums, who have continued to terrorise travelers on our highways,” Ejiofor added.
