ACF begs security agencies to secure Borno, Yobe roads

Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned incessant attacks and killings along the Maiduguri/Damaturu road in Borno and Yobe states, appealing to the army and other security agencies to secure major roads in the two states.

According to the forum, suspected terrorists mount roadblocks to kidnap, rob and kill motorists and travellers plying the
132km highway.

In a statement yesterday in Kaduna, ACF National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, noted the importance of securing the road and others in the two states.

He said the securing of roads would ensure the restoration of economic activities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

“Incessant attacks on roads are disturbing and worrisome, as many were reported to have been kidnapped and even killed.

“This unfortunate situation has threatened the socio-economic activities in Damaturu and Maiduguri metropolises. It has forced many people to remain in fear and despair whenever they woke up or travel along this road,” ACF stated.

While acknowledging efforts of the military and other security agencies against the terrorists, ACF urged them to do more by securing the only road to Maiduguri and neighbouring countries of Chad,
Niger and Cameroon.

“The military and other security agencies should repel terrorists’ attacks by chasing them out from their hideouts,” he pleaded.

The forum also appealed to the Federal Government to adequately equip the troops to sustain the fight against terrorists.

But the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, on Monday, said the Maiduguri/Damaturu road had been secured against attack.

Many commuters along the 132km road were this year attacked, killed or kidnapped.

While lamenting insecurity to lives on Monday at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Borno State, Adeniyi said military measures had been adopted to check the activities of Boko Haram.

He added that he slept on the road last Sunday with other officers to prevent attacks on two communities.

According to him, the security measures are to keep the affected road safe for motorists, commuters and communities in the Maiduguri/Damaturu axis.

In securing the road, he said as early as 4 am, troops would comb for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on roads.

“We’ve strategised with the change of posture in our counter-insurgency and terrorism operations at the theatre of war,” said Adeniyi, noting that more resources were being deployed to secure the roads.

Claiming that Boko Haram terrorists had been technically defeated, he explained that beside clearance IEDs, troops chase terrorists to their hideouts in the Maiduguri/Damaturu forest axis.

He urged motorists not to stop on the roads, except at Kukareta, Benisheikh, Mainok, Jakana and Auno military checkpoints, 25km from Maiduguri.