…It’s unlawful to block roads- State government
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Hundreds of youths in Gonigora area of Kaduna city on Thursday blocked the Abuja/Kaduna highway in protest of some undisclosed number of residents kidnapped by bandits Wednesday night in the area.
It was gathered that apart from kidnapping many residents in the area, others were shot dead by the rampaging bandits.
A source told Daily Sun, “Goningora in the news again, there was an attack by bandits yesterday (Wednesday), and some people were abducted and some shot dead. The federal Express way was since morning blocked by youths in the area to protest the attack”.
It was also gathered that both Abuja bound passengers and those entering Kaduna from Abuja spent hours at the road blocks mounted the protesting youths until the blocks were cleared by security operatives.
Though the Kaduna State government was silence on the number of people kidnapped and killed by bandits, the State Security Council warned against blockage of roads by protesters.
A statement by the Kaduna State Overseeing Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan said, “The Kaduna State Security Council has warned against blockage of public roads and harassment of innocent citizens by persons conducting protests.
This follows the blockage of the Gonin Gora axis of the Kaduna-Abuja Road by some protesters on Thursday morning, in response to reports of a bandit attack in Unguwan Auta of Gonin Gora general area, Chikun LGA, thus denying commuters access through the route.
“The members of the Security Council, comprising the Commissioner of Police, Audu Ali, Director of Department of State Services, Abdul Adamu Eneche, Garrison Commander, One Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Muhammad Kana, and the Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, in the company of security forces, dismantled the road blocks erected and subsequently opened up the road for use by motorists.
“The members of the Kaduna State Security Council while interacting with community leaders, expressed dissatisfaction with the menace of blocking roads, a situation which infringes on the rights of citizens and travelers using these roads and other public utilities.
“As of the time of this security update, citizens and motorists are plying the Gonin Gora axis of Kaduna-Abuja Road without obstruction”.