According to a survey by the think tank SB Morgan Intelligence, the Abuja-Kaduna highway is not as dangerous as the Port Harcourt-Warri Road in southern Nigeria.
The Abuja-Kaduna road has been the site of several high-profile security incidents, including the AK-9 train attack in March 2022, the report revealed.
The report, based on a survey conducted by the organization to assess the state and challenges of Nigerian roads between January 2023 and December 12, 2024, highlighted that kidnapping for ransom has become a significant security threat for travelers along the Port Harcourt-Warri route during the reviewed period.
In contrast, security challenges on the Makurdi-Jos route involved a mix of youth gang violence and pastoral conflicts. These tensions prompted protests by farmers over the government’s inadequate security measures, which escalated into roadblocks and attacks on motorists, the report noted.
The survey also identified dangerous hotspots across Nigeria’s major cities and highways, pinpointing areas with heightened risks of theft, attacks, and other road hazards.
The report stated, “Dangerous hotspots were identified in key urban centres like Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Maiduguri, all critical for interstate travel.
“These cities, known for heavy traffic, saw elevated insecurity, especially during peak travel hours in the evening, when commuters are most vulnerable.
“Data has shown that during the review period, the Port Harcourt-Warri route in Southern Nigeria has become the most dangerous, surpassing the Abuja-Kaduna highway which registered some of the most prominent security incidents (such as the AK-9 train attack) in March 2022.
“Kidnapping for ransom forms a major security threat to travellers across this route, unlike the Makurdi-Jos route, which has a mix of youth gang violence, and pastoral conflicts that move farmers to protest against the government’s poor security provision which, in turn, lead to roadblocks and attacks against motorists.”
The report went on to say that Port Harcourt was the most commonly mentioned hub for dangerous hotspots, with particular locations like Eleme Junction and the Ihiala-Okigwe Road being identified as especially dangerous.
The survey also looked at respondents’ perceptions of police presence on the roads, noting that, similar to other cities, “Port Harcourt saw most respondents reporting occasional patrols.”
“However, it stood out with the highest percentage of respondents noting “no visible patrols,” reflecting a significant concern about police presence within regional routes.
“The data reveals a common trend of sporadic police visibility across interstate routes, with occasional patrols being the most reported frequency.
“Regular patrols are not a consistent phenomenon, and in many cases, respondents flagged the rare visibility of security officials, raising questions about the consistency and effectiveness of police patrol efforts.
“These findings highlight the pressing need for more consistent and visible police patrols to enhance security and public confidence across these regions.”
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