Before now the Abuja-Kaduna road for travellers was a deadly risk to take as kidnappers on daily basis had a field day abducting motorists and passengers,



however, the tide has turned as the Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja road is now becoming a dangerous route for travellers and commuters.


The Abuja – Lokoja road is one of the busiest and the only road that links the south/ eastern part of Nigeria to the northern part of the country.


A high volume of vehicular movement especially at the peak of a festival period.



But within the last one month, the ever busy road has become a nightmare to commuters plying the route due to incessant attacks by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.


The kidnappers, who are said to always appear in a commodore style in the middle of the highway wearing army uniforms carrying sophisticated weapons open fire on oncoming vehicles and whisk away motorists and passengers away into the bush and later demand for ransom.


The kidnappers, according to some eyewitnesses, mostly operate at sharp bends and also target vehicles that are descending towards the hill, between, Kwali- Kwaita – Abaji- Chikara- Omoko- Idu- Ochonyi and Akpogu communities which are along the Abuja-Lokoja highway.


On Friday, 26 November 2019, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers opened fire on some personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) who were travelling from Abuja to Lagos on an official assignment at Oshawa along the highway at about 1:50 pm on Friday, killing the driver and leaving the other officer critically injured.


The incident, according to an eyewitness, involved a Toyota Hilux pick-up van with registration number; PILOT 01A when the kidnappers ambushed the officers some few kilometres away near Zariagi town along Abuja- Lokoja – Okene road.


The kidnappers were said to have opened fire at the sight of the marked vehicle and unfortunately shot the driver in the head, killing him instantly. Making the vehicle to lose control and veered off the road.



Similarly, on Sunday, 22nd November 2019, at about 6:25 pm, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers also shot dead a driver of Toyota Highlander Jeep at Kwaita-Kwali route, along the same highway.



The kidnappers, according to an eyewitness at Kwaita village, which is located along the highway, said 13 passengers inside the 18 seater bus were abducted and taken into the bush.


According to a witness, who identified himself as Ibrahim, said the kidnappers who wore army uniform suddenly appeared from the bush and entered the highway to opening fire to oncoming vehicles.



Six days ago, December 8, 2019, some gunmen again appeared at the same spot at Kwaita village, in where they opened fire on oncoming vehicles, killing six travellers, including a 6 year -old child.



Although, the FCT police command through its spokesperson, ASP Mari Yusuf, had in a statement, confirmed to newsmen that four persons were killed by the kidnappers.



According to her, the gunmen were escaping after their camps had been destroyed by the police operatives who were on surveillance around the axis, in which the kidnappers entered the highway and opened fire on oncoming vehicles, killing four travellers on the spot.



She said in the statement that one suspect had been arrested during the raid of the kidnappers’ camps.



Some motorists, who were lucky to have escaped the attack, said the gunmen, in their large numbers, wearing army uniform with sophisticated weapons entered the highway and shoot at any vehicle in sight and whisked away scores of passengers into the bush.



Our reporter had learnt that one Abubakar Iya, who is a staff of Abaji township clinic, was returning to Gwagwalada, along with his family, when the kidnappers opened fire on his vehicle, abducting him, killed his six-year-old daughter, while his wife sustained bullet wounds.



He was abducted alongside other travelers.




However, following these kidnap incidents, there has been tension and apprehension especially among travellers who are travelling home to celebrate the Christmas and new year.



Traditionally, at the end of the year, the Abuja-Lokoja road is always chaotic for travellers plying that road.




Many wonder what their fate would be on this road as gunmen take over.



Some travelers who spoke with our reporter, expressed fear over the incessant kidnappings along the highway.



A resident, Mr Ogochi Chinyere, who resides in Gwagwalada, while speaking with our reporter, said she was planning to embark on a journey to the village, but she has suspended the trip due to the latest kidnapping along the road.



“We intended to embark on the journey this week as my husband planned it, but after hearing of the various attacks that have happened on the road of how kidnappers killed some people along the road, we suspended the journey, “ she said.



Another resident, Ifeanyi Oguchukwu, who also spoke with our reporter, said he was making arrangements to travel with his family next week, but said the recent the frequent kidnapping along the Abuja -Lokoja road may make him change his mind.



“I am still contemplating whether to travel for the Christmas, because of the kidnap incidents happening along the highway, I will leave it till after Christmas and go home for the new year.



Will watch and see if the security improves, “ he said.


He called on the government to deploy enough security on the highway especially at black spots where the kidnappers always attack motorists.



A commercial driver, Mr Onyebuchi Abraham, said he was disturbed about the kidnap incidents along the highway,


he called for the deployment of enough security agents along the route.



“I just returned from Lagos this morning, which I have to take the risk because of this cases of kidnapping especially between Kwali- Abaji down to Kotonkarfe in Kogi state, these are the black spots where these kidnappers mostly operate freely, “ he said.




When contacted, the spokesperson of the FCT police command, ASP Mariam Yusuf, said the FCT police command has already put in place security measures along the highway.




She said police has been stationed at various black spots along the highway including an aerial view of the area to ensure that travellers who are traveling home for Christmas and new year have a hitch-free trip to enjoy the celebration.




She said the command has also intensified motorize/foot patrol as well as stop and search of vehicles along the highway.





“As I speak, security measures have been put in place including aerial surveillance of helicopter along the highway to ensure motorists travel freely without any hitch, “ she said.



https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/as-xmas-nears-fear-of-kidnapping-grips-travellers-on-abuja-lokoja-road.html

I saw this news today in Daily trust.

If you are traveling for Xmas along this route,

just trust in God.

Nothing evil will happen to you.

Na God go save us.

a businessman who attended the JAMB CBT meeting in bwari was shot dead on that road on his way back to imo state in his mercedez jeep.

no road in the middle belt is safe now courtesy fulani kidnappers - they are so brutal!


this government is an all round HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT!

and some of this kidnappers and armed robbers might also be nairalanders also,reading topics and comments, funny enough.