Insecurity Plagues Damaturu–Biu Highway In Nigeria
Commuters and commercial drivers in Nigeria are desperately calling on the federal government and the Borno State Government to reconstruct the severely deteriorated 85-kilometre Damaturu–Biu Road, as its poor condition is dramatically increasing travel times and exposing them to heightened insecurity, including frequent attacks and abductions by Boko Haram insurgents.
The critical highway connects five local government areas across Yobe and Borno states. Residents have expressed profound frustration over the abysmal state of the road, lamenting that it has led to significantly extended travel durations and exacerbated security risks. They are appealing to both federal and state authorities for urgent rehabilitation to facilitate smoother vehicular movement.
Dangerous Journeys and Economic Strain
According to both commuters and commercial drivers, travel time on the Damaturu–Biu highway has surged from approximately two hours to over six hours. This alarming increase has resulted in higher fuel consumption, frequent vehicle breakdowns, and a heightened vulnerability to criminal activities, including attacks and abductions carried out by Boko Haram insurgents.
Mr Bukar Mustapha, a commercial driver, revealed that motorists traverse the road in constant fear of being abducted by insurgents who exploit the numerous poor sections of the highway for ambushes. "We ply this road in constant fear," he stated, highlighting the daily peril faced by travellers.
It has been ascertained by Daily Trust that military personnel conduct daily patrols of the road each morning, specifically scanning for suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs) before authorising motorists to proceed with their journeys. This measure underscores the severe threat level in the region.
Fatima Modu, a passenger, shared a harrowing personal account, telling Daily Trust that her family members were tragically abducted by gunmen on the very same road just two weeks prior. “Despite the presence of security checkpoints, the situation has not improved, and many casualties have been recorded. Pregnant women travelling to hospitals for delivery or medical attention face serious challenges,” she lamented.
Another commercial driver, Yusha’u Umar, highlighted the substantial financial losses incurred by drivers. He attributed these losses to frequent vehicle repairs, tyre punctures, and other mechanical issues directly caused by the deteriorated state of the road. “Previously, we spent only two hours travelling from Damaturu to Biu. Now, we spend more than six hours,” he explained.
Umar further elaborated, “The situation has worsened insecurity, as insurgents exploit the bad portions of the road to carry out attacks.”
Calls for Government Intervention
Mr Mohammed Maina, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Damaturu Branch, described the road as “horrible.” He emphatically urged the government to expedite its reconstruction to avert further accidents and attacks on motorists, stressing the urgent need for action.
Attempts to contact the Federal Controller of Works in Yobe State proved unsuccessful, as he was reportedly away from the state on an official engagement.
(SOURCE: News Report)