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Neglected Highways in Ogoja – A Tale of Mismanagement and Lost Opportunities,

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Neglected Highways in Ogoja – A Tale of Mismanagement and Lost Opportunities,

By Mike Udam

The deteriorating state of the highways in Ogoja is a cause for deep concern, and the recent release of 400 million naira to the contractor, one Emma Ventures Investment Limited, highlights the long-standing negligence and impunity we have endured.

Here are some critical aspects you need to know about this dire situation:
The deplorable condition of this road has unintentionally led to the growth of the food business in Egoja Ndim, Ukpe, Mbagidi and Adagom communities. With trucks struggling to navigate through the deep pothole-ridden road and being forced to remain in the line for hours because of the fall of one truck blocking access, local food vendors have found a thriving market in providing sustenance to weary travelers. What is seen as a challenge and pain to the truck drivers and other passangers has become an opportunity for these enterprising individuals who now cook and sell to the stranded truck and tanker drivers and their crewmen.

Ndok Junction, once a bubbling business spot and sit out joint, has now become an unlikely tourist attraction. Men, seeking reprieve from the pressures of home life, gather to witness the astounding meandering skills displayed by truck drivers navigating these treacherous bad spots. It’s a spectacle born out of necessity but has unintentionally become a source of entertainment. Once a truck driver passes through successfully, he gets a huge ovation.

The alarming negligence extends to the point where unknown individuals have broken through the prevention barrier at Moniaya bridge. This reckless act has opened the floodgates for trucks that cannot meander through the bad spot to pass through the town, wreaking havoc on our colonial-era roads and bridges. It’s a clear sign of the deterioration reaching critical levels.

On the other hand, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and other related agencies, which used to thrive on the highway due to constant checks and monitoring, are now at a loss. With the roads in such a deplorable state and trucks lined up for over 13km and only one lane created for small vehicles, there are no longer vehicles to regulate, and their personal revenue has dwindled. This has also compromise road safety of all road users.

Shockingly, despite the awareness of the dire situation by the Ogoja big men and other political leaders of thought, none of them saw fit to remind the governor to direct the visiting minister of works to inspect the failed Ndok Junction section of the Federal Highway. The visiting minister remained in Calabar and then returned to Abuja, showcasing a lack of political will that is frustrating, to say the least. Our leaders must prioritize the well-being of their constituents over political considerations.

I know if Dave Umahi was in Ogoja to see things for himself, the contractor would have been sent to jail.
It’s a glaring tragedy that 400 million naira has been allocated for road repair, only to seemingly vanish into thin air. The people are left in deep distress and agony, while the promise of improved infrastructure remains unfulfilled. This mismanagement of funds is not only a financial loss but also a betrayal of the trust placed in our leaders.

This dire state of affairs transcends political affiliations. Whether you support BAT, Atiku, or Obi, it’s immaterial in the face of the suffering inflicted by bad governance. We are all ensnared in the web of mismanagement and indifference. It’s high time we unite as a community to demand accountability and change from our leaders.

The state of the highways in Ogoja is not just a matter of inconvenience; it’s a reflection of the systemic issues plaguing our governance. It’s high time our leaders take responsibility, order the state ministry of works to address these pressing issues, and seek reimbursement from the federal government. The people of Ogoja deserve better, and the time for change is long overdue. We must stand together to demand the infrastructure and governance we rightfully deserve.

I am calling on our amiable governor to pick up the phone and call the attention of the minister of works to order the contractor urgently back to site.
While the minister will be looking for the file of the contractor to sanction, the governor should immediately swing into action by ordering urgent palliative measures to fix those bad spots that have made life unbearable for all residents of Ogoja. Keeping quiet will embolden impunity.

Mike Udam contributed this article from Ogoja through mikeudam@yahoo.com

Neglected Highways in Ogoja – A Tale of Mismanagement and Lost Opportunities,

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Three Fulani women abducted by gunmen in Kwara

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Three Fulani women abducted by gunmen in Kwara

By: Zagazola Makama

Atleast three Fulani women were abducted by armed hoodlums who attacked Awi village, a Fulani/Hausa camp near Omu-Aran, under sporadic gunfire.

Sources disclosed that the incident occurred on June 29 at about 1:00 a.m. and was reported later that morning by one Danbare Sarki Fulani, a community leader.

The victims were identified as: Halimi Kadiri, Gaaje Yusuf, and a nursing mother Maria Isah. All the victims are said to be of Fulani Bororo origin.

Upon receipt of the report at about 10:00 a.m., a team security operatives and members of the local vigilante group was immediately mobilised to the scene and began combing the nearby forests,” the statement said.

Additionally, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) team attached to Omu-Aran, alongside neighbouring Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and local vigilantes, have launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation aimed at locating the victims and apprehending the perpetrators.

Police sources confirmed that investigation is ongoing and assured the public of continued efforts to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted women and restoration of peace in the area.

Three Fulani women abducted by gunmen in Kwara

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Troops neutralise 2 ISWAP insurgents planting IEDs on Borno highway

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Troops neutralise 2 ISWAP insurgents planting IEDs on Borno highway

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army troops of Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai, have neutralised two suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attempting to plant Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along a critical highway in Borno State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama on Monday that the ambush operation occurred along the strategic Trans-Timbuktu (TT) corridor, extending towards the Katarko–Goniri axis.

The sources said that the operation was conducted following credible intelligence on the movement of a terrorist IED-laying party along the route.

“During the encounter, troops engaged the terrorists in a brief but decisive firefight, killing two insurgents and forcing others to flee.

“Items recovered at the scene included two AK-47 rifles, several magazines, a motorcycle, and materials intended for constructing IEDs. Equipment designed to cut through tarred roads for the concealment of explosives was also found.

“The swift response by the troops not only thwarted a potential attack on military and civilian vehicles but also helped to secure a major supply route frequently targeted by terrorists,” a security source said.

The military has since intensified patrols and route clearance operations in the general area to prevent further attempts by the insurgents.

Troops neutralise 2 ISWAP insurgents planting IEDs on Borno highway

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Bandits kill two, abduct four in Katsina community

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Bandits kill two, abduct four in Katsina community

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits have killed two persons and abducted four others in a late-night attack on Gidan Tamba village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the incident, which occurred on June 29 at about 10:45 p.m., threw the quiet rural community into panic as the gunmen stormed the area and opened fire indiscriminately.

One of the victims, Ashiru Shafiu, aged 60, was reportedly shot dead on the spot, while another resident, Suleiman Yusuf, also 60, collapsed during the raid and later died of cardiac arrest. Both were rushed to the General Hospital in Kankara, where they were confirmed dead.

In addition to the fatalities, four residents were abducted during the attack. They have been identified as: Kazeem Nuhu, Shafiu Aliyu, Rama Dan Mallam and Ummah Abdulwahab.

The attackers reportedly arrived on motorcycles and disappeared into the surrounding forest with the kidnapped victims.

Bandits kill two, abduct four in Katsina community

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