As the year 2024 draws to a close, Nigerians preparing for end-of-year travels face mounting fears over incessant kidnappings on highways.
This alarming trend has cast a shadow over the festive season, making inter-state travel a daunting challenge for many citizens.
Exacerbating the situation is the sharp increase in airfares, leaving many with no option but to risk travel by road despite the dangers.
Amah A. Amah, Director General of the African Writers’ Centre in Lagos, has voiced his concern over the issue. He has urged the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action to curb the wave of kidnappings, particularly on the North-South travel corridor. Amah suggested the establishment of a Forest Guard as a critical measure to enhance security in Nigeria’s forests, where many of these crimes occur.
Travel along the North-South corridor has become so perilous that passengers often resort to fervent prayers before embarking on journeys.
“There is hardly a week without incidents of kidnapping on this route,” Amah lamented, describing it as a commercially vital but hazardous corridor.
Shocking Incidents of 2024
Throughout the year, multiple high-profile kidnapping cases have occurred along Nigeria’s highways, with victims ranging from regular commuters to high-profile individuals. Amah highlighted several chilling incidents to emphasize the gravity of the situation:
1. November 30, 2024: Passengers aboard a bus operated by God is Good Motors (GIGM) traveling from Port Harcourt to Abuja were attacked near Obajana, Kogi State. Fourteen passengers were abducted by gunmen, while the driver managed to escape. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₦100 million per passenger.
2. February 3, 2024: Armed men abducted 12 passengers from GIGM and two from ABC Transport along the Kogi State Expressway. These passengers, traveling from Abia State to Abuja, endured several days of captivity before their release, though it remains unclear whether the demanded ₦15 million per passenger was paid.
3. August 2024: Anambra State Commissioner for Youths Development, Patrick Agha Mba, and his wife were abducted in Kogi State while traveling to Abuja for a wedding. They were eventually released, but the incident underscored the region’s volatility.
4. Mid-August 2024: About 20 medical students from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos were kidnapped along the Otukpo-Enugu Road in Benue State. The students were en route to a convention in Enugu and spent 10 harrowing days in captivity before being freed.
5. October 11, 2024: Another GIGM bus traveling from Abuja to Port Harcourt was attacked. Thirteen passengers were abducted, sparing only a nursing mother due to her crying infant. The incident occurred along the Abuja-Port Harcourt route, further highlighting the growing insecurity on Nigeria’s highways.
Impact on Travelers
These frequent kidnappings have made long-distance travel in Nigeria increasingly hazardous. Many travelers avoid the highways, fearing for their lives, while others reluctantly undertake journeys due to limited alternatives. The skyrocketing cost of air travel has made flying unaffordable for the majority, leaving road travel as the only option despite its risks.
Victims of these abductions endure unimaginable physical, emotional, and psychological trauma. Survivors recount being held in deplorable conditions, often subjected to threats and physical abuse while their families negotiate ransoms. The financial toll is equally severe, with ransom demands running into millions of naira, plunging families into debt.
A Call for Urgent Action
Amah stressed the urgency of addressing the kidnapping menace, calling for the creation of a Forest Guard tasked with patrolling forested areas along major highways. He noted that kidnappers often use these forests as hideouts, making forest security critical in tackling the problem.
The North-South corridor, a crucial route for trade and travel, demands special attention due to its strategic importance and the frequency of incidents. Ensuring safety on this corridor, Amah argued, is vital for national stability and economic growth.
As Nigerians prepare for the holiday season, the need for enhanced security on highways has never been more pressing. Amah’s call for a Forest Guard underscores the importance of proactive measures to restore confidence in road travel.
The Federal Government must act swiftly to address this crisis and ensure that Nigerians can travel safely during the festive period and beyond.
Without decisive action, the fear of kidnapping will continue to overshadow the lives of millions and hinder the nation’s progress.
