Rising kidnapping cases on Ugwuogo-Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road, in Enugu State, took another dimension, yesterday, as motorists blocked the route in protest over the development.

No fewer than 100 vehicles plying the road blocked the road, creating traffic gridlock and disrupting movement of persons and goods.

At least 20 people have been kidnapped on the said road over the past one-week, with millions of naira paid as ransom.
Motorists, tricycles, motorcycles and passengers were stranded for over two hours, as protesters were seen chanting solidarity songs, asking federal and state governments to intervene.

Placards carried by the peaceful protesters had inscriptions such as: “Enugu State Government should come to our aid over incessant kidnappings on this road;” “Opi-Nsukka Enugu Road is now a den of kidnappers;” “Primary duty of any government is protection of life and property,” among others.

Speaking with journalists, one of the drivers, Ben Onyeke, said the protest was to draw the attention of Governor Peter Mbah to what commuters on the road have been facing of late.

“This road has become kidnappers’ den, as drivers and passengers are abducted on daily basis.

“Last week, three commercial drivers were kidnapped on this road, and ransom paid before they were released.

“Some of our drivers, who escaped being kidnapped, had their bodies and buses ridden with bullets by the hoodlums.”

Leader of the protesters, Chukwudi Offia, said that due to constant kidnapping on the road, many people now fear to travel. He noted that the development has affected their transport business.

Offia said: “By this protest, we are calling attention of the state government and security agencies to the insecurity situation on this road. We are asking them to rise to the occasion and ensure the criminals are arrested and prosecuted.”

“The primary duty of every government is to protect life and property; so, government should protect us from these hoodlums.”

The intervention of Eha-Alumona Divisional Police Officer, Allen Evason, who addressed the protesters in a humble and compassionate voice, made them remove the roadblocks.

Evason promised that kidnapping on the road would soon end, as security agencies are working night and day to ensure those behind the crime are tracked, arrested and prosecuted.