Business Day
In a bid to ensure the safety of Nigerians, Nextier SPD, an international development consulting firm based in Nigeria, has listed about 11 roads that travellers should avoid this festive season in a new study.
Titled ‘Dangerous Highways in Nigeria,’ the most dangerous travel routes in Nigeria stated in the study include the Sokoto-Gusua road, Akure-Akoko road, Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja, Loko-Oweto, Okpella-Auchi-Okene, Obajana-Kabba.
Others include the Okigwe-Uturu road, the Abuja-Kaduna road, Zaria-Kaduna highway, Maiduguri-Damaturu, and the Akure-Ilesa road.
For years, many Nigerian roads have remained vulnerable to armed attacks. Commuters across the country are exposed to violent attacks by gunmen, and the frequency of these onslaughts has become a source of concern to many.
According to the research, December, November, and January are the most unsafe months to travel through these routes.
Through research questions, findings from the study show that December (42.35 percent of respondent) has the highest record of attacks, while 27.06 percent and 18.82 percent of drivers believe that November and January are the second and third most unsafe months, respectively.
For instance, on 6 December 2021, bandits killed 23 passengers journeying from Sabon Birni in Sokoto State. These passengers were singed beyond recognition, according to multiple news reports.
More so, Rilwanu Aminu Gadagau, the chairman, committee on Local Governments and Rural Development Kaduna State House of Assembly member was killed on the Zaria – Kaduna highway just barely six days ago.