Our lives are in danger, luxury bus drivers cry out

Luxury bus drivers have said their lives are in danger during this Christmas season following incessant attacks on their members by hoodlums on the highways.

The Chairman of National  Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Ejiofor, disclosed this on  Thursday at a press conference in Onitsha, Anambra State.

He urged security agents to intensify patrol and surveillance on the nation’s highways to control the situation.

He said the call had become necessary following incessant attacks on members and commuters by armed robbers, kidnappers and other hoodlums on highways.

He said the situation had adversely affected the socioeconomic activities of members and Nigerians in general.

He called for drastic measures to arrest the security challenges.

He said, “the major flashpoints included Benin by-pass, Omotosho-Ijebu Ode, Abuja-Kaduna, Abuja-Nassarawa, Makurdi, and Elele-Port Harcourt highways.

He added,” These criminal elements operate unmolested with dangerous weapons including sophisticated guns and machetes.

“They block the roads, divert vehicles and passengers into the thick bush unchallenged and unleash terror on their victims. Sometimes the victims are held for up to a week.

“Some of them at the Benin by-pass had confessed to victims recently that they were Fulani herdsmen, who had lived in the bush for many years.

“They also claimed that security operatives know that they occupy these areas and that nobody will come to their rescue unless they part with ransom or they lose their lives.

“The disturbing aspect of a recent Benin by-pass attack is that a victim, who returned from the United States of America vowed never to return to Nigeria unless the security condition improved.”

He said life should not be allowed to be so cheap in the country, adding, “We, therefore, call on the Inspector  General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, to beef up security in the affected areas.

“A joint force of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, DSS, and armed Civil Defense personnel should mount surveillance and carry out a regular patrol to tackle this ugly trend, especially during this Yuletide.