Kidnapping rising on Enugu-Abakaliki highway

Road users in Ebonyi State have raised alarm over the recent rise in the Idodo axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway, describing the incidents as “worrisome”, and called on the federal, Ebonyi and Enugu governments to intervene and make the highway safe.

Jerry Okonkwo, a commercial driver, who expressed concern about the incidents, said, “It is very unfortunate that the kidnapers are taking the nation’s roads. Highway security is necessary for national development.

“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.

“But the issue is that I cannot stop the driving business because I don’t have any other business.

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Another driver, Mr Ukeni Mathew, who called for collaboration between the Ebonyi and Enugu state governments on the acts, said, “I pray the police and other security agencies will rise up to the situation.”

A traveller, Mrs Margaret Uka, said travelling on the Abakaliki-Enugu highway was no longer safe, and called for urgent intervention from the concerned governments.

Reacting to the development, DSP Joshua Ukandu, spokesman of Ebonyi State Police Command, said incidents had been in the news but that the location was not under their jurisdiction. (NAN)