14th April, 2024
By Christian Ogbonnna
Some road users in Ebonyi have decried alleged kidnapping incidents along the Idodo axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway.
They described the incident as “worrisome” and called on the Federal, Ebonyi and Enugu governments to intervene and make the highway safer.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that there have been tensions among travellers and transporters in Abakaliki, Ebonyi capital, who ply the route as the incident poses threats to mankind.
Kidnapping has become more or less a lucrative business across states of the federation, as some individuals abduct people for rituals or in exchange for ransom.
Jerry Okonkwo, a commercial driver, on Saturday, expressed concerns over the incident and stated that he was afraid of being kidnapped.
Okonkwo said there was a need for government intervention on the highway routes across the country.
“It is very unfortunate that the kidnapers are taking the nation’s roads. Highway security is necessary for national development.
“My Brother, I am very much afraid of being kidnapped because I would spend months in the kidnappers’ den because I have no one to raise any ransom for my release.
“Well, the issue is that I cannot stop driving business because I don’t have any other business. This is what I do to earn a living.
The incident of kidnapping people on transit is worrisome,” he added.
A Driver, Mr Ukeni Mathew, called for effective collaboration between Ebonyi and Enugu state governments to clamp down on the act.
“I only pray the police and other security agencies to rise up to the situation,” he stated.
A traveller, Mrs Margaret Uka, said travelling through Abakaliki-Enugu is no longer safe, calling for urgent intervention from the governments.
Reacting to the development, DSP Joshua Ukandu, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebonyi Command, said such an incident had been on the news but the location was not under their jurisdiction.
According to Ukandu, it has been on the news, though, I won’t be able to ascertain the record because the location is not covered by our command.
“It’s been covered by the Enugu police command. Yes, there have been plans for teamwork between Enugu and Ebonyi governments.
“Yes, Enugu government has been on top of the matter. We urge road users to avoid late journeys,” the PPRO advised.