Abuja–Kaduna Highway Explained

Country:NGA
Route:A2, A234
Abuja–Kaduna Highway
Length Km:200
Terminus A:Abuja
Terminus B:Kaduna
States:Kaduna
Niger
Federal Capital Territory
Marker Image:none
Known For:Kidnapping, banditry

The Abuja–Kaduna Highway or Abuja–Kaduna Expressway is a highway in Nigeria. It connects the national capital of Abuja with the city of Kaduna. Depending on the definition used, it is between [1] and [2] in length. It is primarily part of the A2 highway but the section nearest Abuja is part of the A234 highway.

The highway has gained a reputation for being unsafe for travellers, and has been described as "the most dangerous road in the country", due to violent kidnappings and murders.[3] The highway was blocked by commercial vehicle drivers in August 2019, following the killing of a driver who refused to give a bribe to a police officer after being caught smuggling rice.[4] The highway was again blocked by protesters in May 2021,[5] in an effort to force the government to address the safety issues on the road.[6]

The police and army have cooperated to in an effort to restore both safety and public confidence in the road. The Nigerian Army under Operation Thunder Strike, and the Nigeria Police Force under Operation Puff Adder have worked to clear the highway and the surrounding areas of insurgents and bandits.[7] [8] In April 2022, the highway was declared "safe" and "free of bandits" by Police.[9] However on 17 May 2022, a major blockade was conducted and at least 20 people were kidnapped, and an unknown number were killed.[10] [11] [12] On 19 May, the Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai announced that several communities along the highway would be relocated, as residents were suspected of assisting and colluding with kidnappers.[13] [14] However some residents protested this, stating that only a small number of people were involved in criminal activity, and it would be more suitable to target those individuals than relocate the communities.[15]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Many travelers abducted as bandits block Kaduna-Abuja highway . 17 May 2022 .
  2. Web site: Kaduna-Abuja expressway free of bandits, safe for motorists - Police . 18 April 2022 .
  3. Web site: Passengers killed after gang targets Nigeria train. BBC News. 29 March 2022 .
  4. Web site: Thousands of motorists stranded as commercial drivers block Kaduna-Abuja highway. . 9 August 2019 .
  5. Web site: Gunmen kidnap 6 in Tafa, hoodlums barricade Abuja – Kaduna highway . 24 May 2021 .
  6. Web site: Niger gov meets Buhari as protesters block highway. Vanguard. 24 May 2021 .
  7. Web site: Kaduna Govt gives reason for gridlock on Kaduna-Abuja highway. Vanguard. 24 September 2022 .
  8. Web site: Troops Intensify Operation Along Abuja–Kaduna Highway to Flush Out Bandits | Channels Television .
  9. Web site: Kaduna-Abuja expressway free of bandits, safe for motorists - Police . 18 April 2022 .
  10. Web site: Terrorists Abduct Commuters on Abuja–Kaduna Expressway . 17 May 2022 .
  11. Web site: JUST IN: Terrorists Abduct Commuters on Abuja- Kaduna Road 50 Days After Train Attack – the Whistler Newspaper .
  12. Web site: Terrorists abduct over 20 along Abuja–Kaduna road. Vanguard. 17 May 2022 .
  13. Web site: Insecurity: El-Rufai proposes demolition, relocation of 3 communities along Kaduna- Abuja highway . 19 May 2022 .
  14. Web site: Three communities along Abuja- Kaduna expressway to be relocated . 19 May 2022 .
  15. Web site: Don't relocate us, Abuja–Kaduna highway communities beg el-Rufa'i . 27 May 2022 .