Navigating Perilous Roads

Attacks on road travellers in Nigeria have become alarmingly frequent, posing a severe threat to locals and foreigners. These attacks, often involving abductions, dominate headlines nationwide. A recent attack by unknown gunmen on a Port-Harcourt bound bus brings to light the imminent threat lurking on Nigerian routes. Most of the attacks are for financial gain, stealing money, valuables, and even vehicles. Highways like the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway and the Benin-Ore Road have become notorious for such activities. Previously, abductions were a concern, primarily associated with ritualistic practices. At the same time, the Niger Delta militants saw it as a means to push their agitations against the Nigerian state. However, with the country’s deteriorating security, abductions have become more frequent, most occurring on the highways.

Between January 2023 and June 2024, Nextier’s Nigeria Violent Conflict Database recorded 131 incidents and 381 kidnap victims, with 231 casualties on Nigerian highways. Moreover, many kidnapping cases are also vastly underreported. However, kidnapping for ransom has become a lucrative business for criminals. Victims are usually held in remote locations until their families pay substantial sums for their release. A range of non-state actors, including suspected herders, bandits, and separatists, have weaponised highway abductions to fund their activities. The Abuja-Kaduna highway arguably remains a notorious route for kidnappings for ransom. In May 2022, bandits abducted over twenty passengers along the road. While security forces have achieved some successes, like “Operation Puff Adder” and “Operation Thunder Strike,  many kidnappings remain unresolved.

The modus operandi is often a brutal cycle of hijacking, abduction, ransom demands, and release. Although in some unfortunate instances, victims have been killed. On February 1^, 2023, four victims abducted along the Bauchi-Jos highway regained freedom after a ₦10 million ransom payment. Further complicating the situation, some bandits employ tactics of deceit, using military or police uniforms to lure unsuspecting victims, particularly in the Southwest and Northwest regions. The problem of highway kidnappings extends beyond the North Central region. The South East has also seen a surge in these attacks. In August 2022, an attack on the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway resulted in the abduction of 30 passengers and injuries to many others. Similarly, gunmen abducted 45 travellers on the Otukpo-Enugu Road in January 2024, demanding a ₦50 million ransom.

The constant threat of attacks has severe economic consequences. Transportation and logistics companies face increased costs due to rising insurance premiums, security measures, and potential cargo losses. This situation disrupts trade and hinders overall economic activity. For instance, in 2022, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) reported increased operational costs due to the need for additional security measures and insurance premiums. Beyond economics, the fear of road travel weakens the social fabric. People avoid visiting family, attending social functions, or travelling for business, hindering social cohesion and economic activity. The psychological impact on victims and their families can be profound, leading to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The inability of the government to secure roads undermines public confidence in the state. This situation can lead to increased distrust in government institutions and a feeling of helplessness among the populace. Moreover, the emboldening of criminals directly threatens national security.

Attempts at addressing the scourge of attacks on Nigerian highways have yielded limited results. Calls by former President,  Muhammadu  Buhari for increased surveillance and patrol along highways have not significantly reduced incidents. Similarly, in January 2024, the Inspector General of Police announced the deployment of officers along the Abuja-Kaduna highway. Yet, attacks have continued unabated, indicating a need for more strategic and effective interventions.

To effectively address the issues of attacks and abductions along travel routes in the country, there is a need to improve existing efforts, such as increasing funding to law enforcement agencies to enhance their operational capabilities. On proactive measures, establishing a robust intelligence network that involves local communities, technology, and collaboration with international agencies can significantly enhance the detection and prevention of criminal activities. Conducting regular road safety audits to identify high-risk areas and implementing measures such as increased lighting, road maintenance, and the establishment of rapid response units can enhance road safety.

Furthermore, recognising that a joint force has proven more effective in addressing this issue should lead to more collaboration between the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the military, and the police for safer highways. Highway kidnappings for ransom, as one of the many security challenges in Nigeria, require elaborate and evidence-driven solutions to mitigate the losses and trauma victims in the kidnapping zones face. The enabling factors for highway abductions emanate from the dilapidated state of the highways and low-security presence. Concerted efforts at highway maintenance, especially at identified hotspots, could mitigate occurrences of highway abductions. A 2021 study of dangerous highways in Nigeria recommends using tracked data of incidents to inform security responses and efforts to curb the enablers of highway attacks.