The Kogi State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to restore military checkpoints on Okene – Lokoja- Abuja road to check the activities of bloodthirsty criminals on the road.
A statement signed by the council chairman, Adeiza Momoh Jimoh and Secretary, Ademu Seidu said the road has become a safe haven for criminals, leaving tales of woes on families of their victims.
The statement noted that the Osara – Irepeni axis of the road has become notorious for the activities of the bloodthirsty criminals.
The Union also urged the state government to respond to the new wave of criminality across the state.
The statement reads,
“The criminals no doubt have taken the advantage of the withdrawal of the military from the road to unleash mayhem on innocent road users with deaths on its trail.“There is the need for the police to up their game by patrolling the road instead of creating roadblocks and preoccupying themselves with checking of vehicle particulars.“The criminals take advantage of these lapses by striking in between police roadblocks.“Criminals must not be allowed to rubbish the achievement by the current government in stemming the tide of criminality in the state.“The fight should be taken to the criminals den in their various hideouts instead of waiting for them to strike before taking actions”.
We recalls that an army captain, GSM Abubakar driving in the company of his wife was last Sunday, shot dead and his wife and mother kidnapped while two naval officers were reportedly shot dead on Thursday evening within the same axis.
