by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
An Abuja-based Human Rights legal luminary, Barrister Hamza N. Dantani, has raised an alarm over the loss of lives on the blocked section of the Kano-Maiduguri Expressway, adjacent to Gomari Way, opposite Barwee Hotels along Nigerian Air Force Barracks, Maiduguri, in Borno State.
In a letter to the Chief of Air Staff, COAS, dated 17 December 2024, obtained by newsman, Dantani, paints a gully picture of the hundreds of travellers that have lost their lives on the blockage section of the roads.
The letter, also copied to the President and Commander-in-Chief, Nigerian Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, Barrister Dantani, promptly drew attention to the dire consequences of the continued closure of the blocked section of the Kano-Maiduguri Expressway.
He stated that, “As an indigene of Borno State, from Borno Central Senatorial District, I appreciate the sacrifice and tireless efforts of the Nigerian Air Force and the military architecture of the country in safeguarding lives and property, particularly these challenging times marked by heightened security situation all over the country.”
Barr. Dantani, however, stated that “I wish to bring to attention, the dire consequences of the continued closure of the blocked section of the Kano-Maiduguri Expressway, adjacent Gomari Way opposite Barwee Hotels, along Nigerian Air Force Barracks, Maiduguri, Borno State.”
He further stated, in his letter, that “The road, which has now been blocked for nine years, served as a crucial link between several significant parts of Maiduguri State and the Northern parts of the country; and it’s important to the daily activities of citizens.
“For emphasis, it’s the access road to Borno State University, 777, and 1000 housing estates and other communities like Gomari, Moranti, amongst others.
“While I understand that the section was closed for security reasons as a result of insurgency, the prolonged restriction has had far reaching negative impacts on lives of motorists and residents.
“More so, the road was blocked nine years ago, when there was a Boko Haram attack in that axis. However, since then there has been no report of any attack in that area,” he added.
The lawyer observed that the concentration of traffic on the single accessible lane has, therefore, led to loss of many lives and property
“Recently, my own family was personally affected when I lost my uncle, Abdullahi Umar, a former staff of Borno Express, in a tragic accident on the road. This incident, one among many others, underscores the urgency of finding a balanced solution to the situation,” he lamented.
While appealing to the Chief of Staff, he stated that “I will also like to point out that, in other states, roads contiguous to Military Barracks have not been entirely restricted to public.
“Also, the roads along the Barracks of other security forces in Borno State are not particularly restricted to the public. For instance, both lanes of the road, along the Police Command in Maiduguri, are open to the public, and there have been no attack.
“Same applies to the road adjacent Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State, even the dualized road in front of the Army Headquarters and Nigerian Police Headquarters in the Nation Capital remains open for use,” he noted.
While commending the security forces, the human rights lawyer stressed that, “Access road across some security locations demonstrates that effective security measures can co-exist with unhindered public access to critical infrastructure.”