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Tag: Highway

  • Just in: Many injured as ex-Senate president football team bus crashes on highway

    Just in: Many injured as ex-Senate president football team bus crashes on highway

    The team bus of a Nigerian football club, Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC was involved in an auto crash on Monday morning along the Ogbomoso-Ilorin Expressway in Oyo State.

    The team is reportedly owned by Abubakar Bukola Saraki, a former Senate President and former Governor of Kwara State.

    It was learned that the team was returning to Ilorin, Kwara State from Lagos State after a league match against Sporting Lagos.

    An official of the team confirmed the incident to journalists saying no life was lost but some players and officials were critically injured.

    “We thank God no life was lost. Those injured are currently receiving medical attention. We have taken them to nearby hospitals,” the team official said.

    ABS is not the first football club in Nigeria that has had bad tales to tell while using highways in the country in the course of their trade.

    In June 2024, it was reported how several players were injured when the team bus of Doma United was involved in an accident on along the Makurdi-Lafia Expressway in Benue.

    It was gathered that the bus lost control and somersaulted several times along the expressway but no life was lost to the accident.

    It was also reported In 2020 how Ifeanyi George, a player of another football club from the country, Enugu Rangers Football Club, was killed in a car accident.

    The incident left two other players of the club critically injured.

  • Umahi orders removal of speed bumps on highways nationwide

    Umahi orders removal of speed bumps on highways nationwide

    The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has ordered the removal of speed bumps on the country’s highways to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on major roads.

    Umahi made this known at a two-day Retreat for Federal Ministry of Works Highway Engineers and Managerial Staff on Friday in Abuja.

    The retreat with the theme “Ensuring Delivery of Mr President‘s Agenda on Road Infrastructural Development,” was organised by the ministry.

    The minister said the order to dismantle the speed bumps was necessary because some were haphazardly done causing accidents and elongating travel time.

    “I came through one of the federal routes and for a journey that is supposed to last like one hour within that stretch, it lasted like three hours because  every 20 metres you will see a bump.

    “Although there is nothing wrong with speed bumps in certain designated locations. But there is an approved technical design for bumps.

    “There are also allowable locations for bumps and that is what we want to do. So the National Assembly has directed that these speed bumps should be dismantled.”

    Umahi said the ministry had noticed some speed bumps were a menace and causing  multiple accidents and deaths.

    “Some speed bumps  are high, touching the bottom plates of vehicles; that is not desirable. It defeats the aim.

    “So, this is what we are saying; and that is  what the national assembly is saying, the ministry as well as motorists want them to dismantle it.”

    Umahi said subsequently for any speed bump to be constructed, applications would be made  to controllers for the locations through the Permanent Secretary and to the minister for approval after meeting technical compliance.

    He added that there must also be a safe side distance of not less than 100 metres and warning for motorists to beware.

    Speaking on infrastructure development, Umahi said President Bola Tinubu’s massive infrastructure development was  aimed at providing the much needed impetus to stimulate the economy and improve the lives of the citizenry.

    He therefore, said the retreat was aimed at  educating  participants to properly understand the president’s renewed hope agenda with specific reference to road infrastructure development among others.

    The Minister of State for Works, Mr Bello Goronyo, commended the president’s infrastructure development agenda, saying that it was putting  smiles on the faces of Nigerians.

    “Let me  urge you to use the knowledge that you will acquire today in ensuring that you come up to speed with the modern technologies and innovation  so that our country will be better in terms of roads, infrastructure.

    “Without the road infrastructure, there cannot be economic growth, and there cannot be prosperity,” he said.

    The permanent secretary in the ministry, Olufunso Adebiyi,  said the Federal Road Safety Corps’ record revealed that accidents  were traceable to reckless driving, drunk driving, disregard for road instructions and unauthorised crossing of the road among others.

    “It may surprise you that the percentage of accidents caused by bad roads were less than 10 per cent.

    “The bad roads are traceable to inefficiency on the part of the engineers, poor supervision of our road works among others.”

    Adebiyi urged the engineers to step up and curb some of the irregularities, noting that the ministry was committed to building their capacity to deliver on the administration’s agenda.

    The Chairmen, Senate and House Committees on Works reiterated their commitment to supporting the ministry to deliver on its mandate.

  • Just In: Panic in Kogi as bandits reportedly abduct bus load of passengers

    Just In: Panic in Kogi as bandits reportedly abduct bus load of passengers

     

    Unspecified number of passengers in an 18-seater bus have been reportedly abducted at Ochadamu along Anyigba-Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State.

    Navy Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), the state security adviser to Governor Yahaya Bello, confirmed the attack on Thursday, saying the state government was in complete control of it.

    We have fought them; we will fight them; and we will continue to fight them until they are neutralised in that axis of the state.

    “Security agents have been alerted and they will do the needful,” Omodara said.

    As of the time of filing this report, it could not be verified if the Abuja-bound vehicle was fully occupied, but it was gathered that the incident happened around 4 pm on Monday at a kidnapping hotspot on the Anyigba-Itobe highway.

    The criminals, numbering about 12, flagged down the bus at gunpoint and whisked the travellers into the bush.

    According to locals, kidnapping activities in the Ochadamu flash point had greatly reduced, but picked up recently after the Nigerian Army checkpoint in the area was taken down following a deadly accident.

  • BREAKING: Notorious bandit terrorizing Kaduna-Abuja highway killed

    BREAKING: Notorious bandit terrorizing Kaduna-Abuja highway killed

    The Police Command in Kaduna State, says its operatives, Federal Intelligence Bureau (FIB) and Special Tactical Squad (STS) Force headquarters, killed a notorious bandit and arrested an accomplice in Kaduna.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Muhammad Jalije, made the disclosure in a statement issued on Saturday in Kaduna.

    Jalige said on November 24, operatives of the Kaduna Police Command, in collaboration with the FIB and STS, on the directive of the Commissioner of Police (CP),Mr Mudassiru Abdullahi, acted on credible intelligence, and raided a facility Known as Sir Joe Guest House, located at NO. 8 Sajo Street Unguwan Maigero area of Sabon Tasha in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state where suspected bandits were said to have lodged.

    According to him, the suspected armed bandits on sensing danger, took to their heels, shooting sporadically and leading to a gun duel with the operatives.

    “One notorious bandit, popularly called Yellow Magaji, a.k.a Arushe, was wounded in the shootout whereas his equally notorious partner, Yellow Ashana, and others escaped with bullet wounds.

    “The wounded bandit was thereafter taken to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital for possible resuscitation in a bit to obtain useful information. But he was confirmed dead on arrival by a medical doctor.

    He explained that after an extensive search of the scene, the operatives recovered one AK 47 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of 7.62 X 39mm live ammunition, 14 expended shells of the aforesaid ammunition and one Boxer motorcycle belonging to the bandits.

    He said the owner of the facility who harbours the criminals was equally arrested for questioning.

    “It is significant to state that the neutralized bandit, Yellow Magaji, until his demise was among a syndicate of bandits terrorising users of Kaduna-Abuja highway of recent,” he said.

    Jalige said the Commissioner of Police saluted the courage of the operatives and most importantly the source of the valid information.

    He urged other members of the public to assist security operatives with prompt information as he assures them of absolute confidentiality while acting on the information.

    He also called on the law-abiding citizens to always be vigilant and security conscious of their immediate environment in order to avoid been preys to marauding criminals.

  • Bandits kill nine travellers on Kaduna highway, capture 11

    Bandits kill nine travellers on Kaduna highway, capture 11

    Some bandits killed no fewer than nine travellers, including infants, in Zankoro village along Birnin Gwari-Kaduna highway on Sunday.

    Also, a total of 11 people were abducted by the bandits on the same day at Dan Kungi village in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    This was contained in a statement by the chairman of the Birnin-Gwari Progressives Union, Mr Salisu Haruna, on Monday.

    The statement titled, ‘Alarming rise of banditry and killings in Birnin Gwari general area,’ added that more than 40 persons were abducted by the bandits between December 20, 2020 and January 4, 2021, adding that “some of them (abductees), have been reported terribly ill.”

    The statement read in part, “The New Year 2021 has begun in sorrow and tears for the people of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    “On Sunday, 3rd January, 2021, bandits laid siege on innocent travellers at Zankoro, along dreaded Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna Highway, killing nine people (including three infants) that are on their way for a ceremony at Doka, Birnin-Gwari LGA.

    “Similarly, the bandits came out today, Monday, January 4, 2021 at the same Zankoro around 9am, shooting indiscriminately and abducting unspecified number of people and wounding six others that are now receiving treatment at Buruku.

    “In the last two weeks, bandits terrorising the people of Birnin Gwari, especially those travelling along Birnin Gwari-Funtua and Birnin Gwari-Kaduna highways have become forcefully aggressive as they continue to kill and abduct innocent citizens unabated.

    “There are more than 40 abductees currently at the mercy of the bandits who were kidnapped between December 20, 2020 and Monday January 4, 2021; some of them have been reported terribly ill.

    “A total of nine innocent travellers were killed at Zankoro along Birnin Gwari-Kaduna highway on Sunday, January 3, 2021. A total of 11 people were kidnapped at Dan Kungi village on Sunday January 3, 2021.

    “BEPU, therefore, calls on the government to deploy immediate response squad to mount offensive operations along Birnin Gwari, Kaduna and Birnin Gwari-Funtua highways.”

     

  • Traffic obstruction: Go to villages or face punishment, police warns ‘highway’ masquerades

    Masquerades have been given the last warning in Imo state, not to block major highways during the festive period.

    The warning according to the Imo state police command that they observed that the masquerades have caused an obstruction on the roads.

    The Imo police command through the state police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Orlando Ikeokwu, also added that the police will deal “decisively” with the said masquerades.

    Other reasons for the warning by the police were outlined that “The Imo State Police Command has observed that masquerades have in the past especially during the Christmas and New Year periods indulged in the acts of obstruction of traffic flow, violence, assault and other forms of criminalities on innocent citizens and motorists along the highways. “Masquerades should be localized in the village squares or masquerade houses and not on major roads as being experienced in the past.”

    They further stated: “The Command, therefore, wishes to state unequivocally that it will deal decisively with any person or group of persons who may want to hide under the guise of any masquerade to disrupt or attempt to disrupt the peace and tranquillity being witnessed in the state.

    “Parents and guardians are by this press release warned not to allow their children and wards to be used by such masquerades as any person(s) found complicit shall be arrested and prosecuted.”

  • Why police officers protested, blocked highway — Official

    Why police officers protested, blocked highway — Official

    The Nigeria Police Force has claimed that its personnel who blocked its Borno headquarters earlier Monday in Maiduguri, were not staging a protest, but “merely complaining” over the delay in payment of their special duty allowances.

    The Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, in a statement claimed some of the police mobile force personnel on special duty only went to the command to enquire about the delay in the payment and not to protest.

    Moshood said the officers who went on enquiry were not those attached to Operation Lafiya Dole in the fight against insurgency in the North East.

    He said they were those on the category of visiting PMF units deployed in Maiduguri on Crime Prevention and other Police duties in the State.

    “The force wish to categorically state that it is not correct that police personnel protested in Maiduguri today July 2,” he said.

    Moshood said that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had directed the Commissioner of Police in Borno to address why the delay in the payment of their special duty allowances.

    He also assured them that with the approval of the budget, the allowances would be expeditiously processed and paid without any further delay.

    The spokesman said the IGP also ordered the Commissioner of PMF to proceed to Borno and other states in the North East where personnel are deployed on special duty.

    He said the commissioner should also inform them on efforts being made by the force to ensure timely payment of their allowances.

    “Members of the Public in Maiduguri, Borno are hereby enjoined not to panic but to go about their lawful duties and other responsibilities without fear or apprehension.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined organisation and will not allow any situation to degenerate into disturbance of Public Peace anywhere in the Country,“he said.

    Earlier, mobile policemen in the Borno capital of Maiduguri staged a protest over non-payment of their allowances.

    The protesting officers barricaded their command headquarters located on Maiduguri-Kano expressway.

    The protest disrupted traffic on the road.

    One of protesting policemen who pleaded anonymity, said they were angry over the non-payment of their allowances in the last six months.

    “About 10, 000 mobile policemen were deployed to the state from different commands but we have not received our allowances in the past six months.

    “We have been serving at the command headquarters since our deployment; but some of us deployed to other locations outside the headquarters were being paid their allowances as and when due.

    “We have been facing hardships as a result of the non-payment of the allowances. We have made several complaints but nobody listened to us,” the aggrieved policeman said.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Damian Chukwu, blamed the non payment on the delay in the passage of the 2018 budget.

    He called on the protesting policemen to calm down and assured them that their allowances would be paid.

  • Tambuwal, Yari team up to fix Sokoto-Gusau federal highway

    Sokoto and Zamfara state governments have completed the repairs of the 214 km Sokoto-Gusau federal highway to ease transportation challenges encountered by commuters plying the important route.

    This was contained in a statement issued in Sokoto Monday by Malam Imam Imam, the spokesman to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

    The road, which connects Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina all through to Kaduna states, was fixed at the cost of N100 million.

    “The two states combined resources to fix the road as it is the main link between their capitals and other parts of the country. It is one of the most important roads in the North West because it connects to other routes leading to the neighbouring Niger Republic,” the statement added.

    It said while Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara shouldered the responsibility for fixing the Gusau -Tureta portion of the road, Tambuwal’s government provided funds for the fixing of the route between Tureta and Sokoto town.

    The statement added that a submission will be made to the federal government for a refund since the highway belongs to it.

    “The important thing is to achieve zero portholes on the crucial route and this has been achieved. The effort has enhanced the safety of vehicles and commuters. It has also improved movement of goods especially agricultural products because it is a major Agric zone in the federation,” the statement added.