Reps want bandits operating on Kaduna-Abuja Highway treated as terrorists

Members of the Kaduna State Caucus in the House of Representatives says bandits operating on the Kaduna-Abuja Highway should be treated as terrorists because of their reported collaboration with Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents.

Garba Datti Muhammed (APC, Kaduna) said this while addressing journalists on behalf of the caucus in Abuja Thursday.

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He said killings and maiming on highways severely infringed on Nigerians’ right to life as guaranteed by the constitution. 

He said: “Not so long ago, there were concerning incessant incidents of banditry along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway and measures were taken that appeared to have minimized the threat on that stretch of the road. It was hoped that that would be the beginning of the end of the challenge of insecurity on our roads as it affected the entire country. 

“Sadly, this has not been the case. Instead, the phenomenon of banditry has steadily and increasingly found its way back to the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.” 

He noted that the Abuja-Kaduna Highway is the critical gateway between the North and the South, and the major link road to the North West, the North East and many neighbouring countries. 

He said: “This state of insecurity has severely affected travel on Nigerian roads as Nigerians have either opted to remain where they are or opt for means of transportation that are outside their means or convenience. 

“Let’s add that the perpetuation of this state of insecurity on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway as well as the many other highways in this country challenges the Nigerian state in terms of its obligations to Nigerians to guarantee the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government pursuant to Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).