Commuters and users of major roads in Katsina state, north-west Nigeria, now fear traveling to conduct business as terrorists, known locally as bandits, are laying siege to the roads, killing and kidnapping travelers and motorists.
Naturally, the activities of these criminals on the roads are taking a toll on transportation and other businesses in the state.
Commercial drivers and commercial vehicle park officials lament the regularity of ambushes and their helplessness.
Due to the volatility of attacks in certain areas, commercial bus operations have already been stopped.
Traders, especially in the central and southern parts of the state, where roadside ambushes are constant, said the attacks are ruining business.
“For me, it has been more than two years since I went to Sheme market. Things are difficult because accessing Sheme is always difficult for me, but I also find it difficult to access Danja market because following the routes is an almost impossible task,” lamented Sule Mamman, a local trader from Dutsin Ma who trades with a variety of cereals.
For more than a decade, terrorists have been operating in the northwestern part of the country. Their activities increased after the 2019 general elections, when they began attacking commuters on major roads in the region, especially the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
The intensity and frequency of their attacks on rural communities in the region increased. Livestock thefts, kidnappings and mass murders, sometimes of entire communities, were reported almost daily.
dangerous roads
Lagosreporters discovered that several roads are now completely abandoned or are traveled by some motorists with extra caution.
Motorists said cases of ambushes, kidnappings and murders on the state’s main highways are increasing.
“Around 80 percent of our operations are now hampered by insecurity. You can see it yourself. There are vehicles parked everywhere in the park. There are places where our members no longer go because of insecurity,” said Rilwanu Sulaiman, secretary of the National Highway Transportation Owners Association in Katsina, he told Newslodge.
Rilwanu Sulaiman Katsina Secretary of NARTO. Mohammed Babangida
After speaking to motorists, travelers and traders, they unanimously agreed that the most dangerous road in the state is the 67-kilometre road linking Jibia (in Katsina state) with Zurmi (in Zamfara state), which was closed in 2022 due to incessant ambushes. by terrorists. The road saw the highest number of attacks, possibly due to its proximity to Rugu Forest, a known terrorist hideout, and the extensive forest on the border between Nigeria and Niger Republic.
A vehicle after the terrorist attack in Katsina at Jibia highwa
The Batsari – Jibia highway was also closed in 2022 following incessant terrorist attacks. The state government said it was closed to curb persistent kidnappings of motorists.
The 48 kilometer Kankara to Sheme road is famous for its deadly ambushes. It passes through the Rugu forest, which links the state with Zamfara state. This reporter narrowly escaped death last year on the highway.
Kidnappings and murders of motorists have become almost a daily occurrence on the 101 kilometer Funtua (Katsina) Tsafe road (in Zamfara State).
Common flashpoints on roads include Mai Ruwa, Sheme, Yankara and Kucheri.
The 51 kilometer Katsina to Jibia road is notorious for dangerous attacks on road users despite the presence of multiple security checkpoints.
The road from Yantumaki to Danmusa is also volatile. Danmusa is also close to Rugu forest and some communities in Zamfara State. In 2022, five passengers were killed at once when terrorists opened fire on a moving vehicle. Several passengers were killed or kidnapped in several attacks.
“The problem is that the bandits become more daring every day because they attack at will. Once it is 4 o’clock, it is difficult for us to travel along the Katsina-Jibia highway because they (terrorists) can strike at any time,” a student union leader who is from Jibia told Newslodge. He sought anonymity for security reasons.
Muntari Mai Maciji, a commercial vehicle driver plying on the Katsina – Kankara – Funtua road, said the road has become a death trap in recent months.
“Every time we pass on the road, especially Marabar Kankara or Yantumaki, passengers will pray fervently because anything can happen. I can’t imagine how a road like this can be allowed to be taken over by bandits,” he said.
When contacted for comment, the state police spokesperson, Abubakar Sadik, said the command and other security agencies are intensifying their efforts to protect the people of the state.
“Together with the state government and other security agencies in the state, we are doing everything possible to address the security situation. We are making some arrangements that are exclusive for now. Local communities are seeing the efforts we are making, especially with the help of the intelligence we receive from residents. The command will not relent in its efforts to rid the State of terrorists and other criminals,” Aliyu said.
The state commissioner for internal security and home affairs, Nasiru Danmusa, said the state government is making efforts to curb the attacks.
“I want to assure you that the Government is doing a lot to address the security challenges in the state…” Danmusa said in an SMS sent to this journalist.
Oliza Ethinlaiye, spokesperson for the 17th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, which is stationed in Katsina and involved in the fight against terrorism in the state, promised to contact this journalist again, but had not yet done so as he was sending this report. .