…Maj-Gen, CP give safety tricks to travellers
…Reveals how one can establish kidnappers in navy, police uniforms
…IGP deploys freeway patrols nationwide
By Evelyn Usman
LAGOS — When 34-year-old hair stylist, Gbaikeme Osaretin left her house in Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos, on December 9, 2025, for a visit to Edo State, her plan was easy.
She supposed to spend three nights along with her mom in Afuze earlier than persevering with to Abuja on December 13, to go to her ailing elder sister, then, return to Edo state to spend Christmas along with her mom .
Nonetheless, Osaretin by no means made it out of Afuze as a result of the car she boarded for Abuja was flagged down by males in uniform alongside a lonely stretch of street outdoors the city.
The boys, later recognized as kidnappers, kidnapped her and 9 different passengers, marching them barefoot via the bush right into a forest camp. She was launched 4 days later after an undisclosed ransom was paid. Recounting her ordeal to Vanguard, she mentioned the abductors appeared authoritative and didn’t conceal their faces.
“We thought they have been troopers. They waved us down, and the motive force stopped instantly. That was after we realized one thing was unsuitable,” she mentioned.
Rising fears on highways
With the Christmas season right here, tens of millions of Nigerians like Osaretin, are touring to reunite with household throughout the nation. Main highways linking Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are experiencing elevated visitors, with greater transport fares, and queues at motor parks.
Alongside this annual motion, issues over freeway insecurity have grown, with vacationers reporting fears of abduction moderately than conventional worries of auto breakdowns or unhealthy climate. A number of federal roads have recorded repeated incidents of kidnapping, with armed teams reportedly blocking highways in broad daylight.
Routes reminiscent of Kabba–Lokoja–Abuja, Auchi–Abuja, Benin–Akure, and components of Ondo, Imo, Kwara, Zamfara, and Benue states have been recognized as high-risk pathways. In Benue, areas inside the Sankera axis—Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Brand — in addition to Makurdi–Naka and Otukpo–Ugbokolo–Otukpa–Orokam roads, have gained notoriety for legal exercise.
In Edo State, the Auchi–Abuja and Benin–Akure roads have additionally recorded repeated assaults, with drivers generally shot whereas passengers have been kidnapped into close by forests.
Dilapidated roads
Past insecurity, poor street infrastructure has additional difficult inter-state journey. Main highways throughout the nation now have big potholes, which have turn out to be craters because of continued erosion, Many sections have collapsed, producing visitors congestion. The Akure–Ado Ekiti street, beforehand a 30-minute drive, now takes over 90 minutes, whereas gridlock on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway continues to delay vacationers for hours. Transport fares have additionally elevated sharply; street journeys that value about N 20,000 final yr now value between N40,000 and N 50,000, whereas air journey stays unaffordable for a lot of as a result of rising aviation gasoline prices.
Safety recommendation to travellers
Regardless of these challenges, safety specialists advise Nigerians to journey cautiously moderately than abandon street journeys.
Certainly one of them, Main Normal Ishaq Bello (rtd) supplied safety ideas, saying, “Christmas is a season of pleasure, not sorrow. Don’t journey blindly. Put together your thoughts, your car, and your route. The journey is as essential because the vacation spot. Share route particulars with a minimum of two trusted kinfolk, together with car registration, vacation spot, departure time, and anticipated arrival. Data turns into a lifeline if one thing goes unsuitable.”
He additionally warned in opposition to evening journey, saying : “Darkness provides kidnappers cowl. Visibility drops, safety response slows, and fatigue makes drivers weak. Journey at daybreak, not at nightfall.”
On pretend checkpoints, he mentioned: “Actual checkpoints are organized. You will note patrol autos, signage, identify tags, and officers working in groups. When males seem in uniform with out construction or authority symbols, be suspicious.”
He cited a current viral video displaying over 20 armed bandits standing on a serious expressway, showing in navy camouflage however missing genuine insignia.
For clear identification, Main-Normal Bello defined: “You’ll be able to differentiate Nigerian Military, Navy, and Air Power personnel in camouflage by observing their berets, badges, insignia, rank slides, and unit patches. The quickest visible cue is the headwear: Military makes use of pink for infantry, inexperienced for armor or particular forces; Navy wears maroon or darkish blue/black; Air Power makes use of gentle blue or maroon for branches like Air Provost or Air Defence. Criminals put on similar-looking uniforms however with out these distinctive options.”
A serving commissioner of Police, who supervises freeway safety in one of many busiest corridors, additionally urged warning. Talking on situation of anonymity, he suggested vacationers: “Use registered transport firms. Keep away from roadside boarding. Don’t board a car and sleep via the journey. Lock doorways, preserve home windows up in visitors, and keep away from displaying telephones, money, or jewellery. Criminals look ahead to targets.”
On checkpoints, he added: “If a checkpoint appears to be like suspicious, decelerate, go searching fastidiously, and if mandatory, flip again or alert safety. Don’t argue with armed males. Compliance will increase survival probabilities.”
Each officers suggested kidnap victims to stay mentally alert, noting that observing routes, sounds, and accents can help safety forces later. Motorists have been additionally suggested to service autos earlier than journey. “Belief your instincts. If one thing feels unsuitable, flip again. Lives are usually not replaceable. Hold telephones charged and misery numbers saved. In an emergency, seconds matter. We wish Nigerians to succeed in house safely, have fun with household, and return peacefully. The roads could also be harmful, however information reduces danger. Be guided, be alert,” the CP acknowledged.
IGP deploys policemen
In the meantime, Inspector-Normal of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered the strategic deployment of police personnel and operational property nationwide to make sure a secure, peaceable, and crime-free Christmas and New Yr. Patrol groups and surveillance items in response to his directive, are to cowl inter-state routes and main expressways to forestall road-related crimes and visitors dysfunction, whereas specialised items, together with the Police Cell Power, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Command, Intelligence Response Staff, Particular Tactical Squad, Particular Intervention Squad, Freeway Patrol, Marine Police, and Air Wing, have been positioned on heightened operational readiness.
The Power Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a separate assertion titled Festive Season Safety Suggestions, assured Nigerians of the Police Power’s dedication to their security.
He mentioned: “Whereas we’re doubling our efforts to maintain you secure this season, your energetic participation in your individual safety is paramount”.
He additionally suggested vacationers to make sure autos are in good working situation, in addition to keep away from late-night journey on remoted routes.
“Report all suspicious actions. The Nigeria Police Power is right here to serve you. Your immediate info might help us forestall crime and guarantee everybody enjoys a peaceable celebration,” Hundenyin added.
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