Nigerian military reopens key Borno road closed for 3 years of Boko Haram insurgency

The Nigerian Army on Wednesday reopened the
Maiduguri-Dikwa-Gamboru road three years after it
was closed as a result of the Boko Haram
insurgency.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the
road was closed to motorists in 2013 at the peak of
Boko Haram activities in Borno.
Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno State, accompanied
by the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, a Lt.-Gen.,
flagged off the reopening of the road.
The governor, in his remark, commended the
military for containing the insurgency within the
short period which facilitated the reopening of the
road.
Mr. Shettima said the state remained eternally
grateful to the Army and sister services that
contributed to the defeat of Boko Haram.
He said that reopening the road would automatically
revamp the economy of the state and improve the
lots of the people.
“Two years ago, Borno was in a bad state and about
a year and half ago, the state almost fell completely
in the hands of the insurgents.
“Today, the story is different and anyone who wants
to be fair to the Nigerian Army and General Buratai
must juxtapose these scenarios before drawing
conclusion.
“With the reopening of this road which is the life
wire of the state, there will be a quantum leap in the
economy of the state,’’ he said.
Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff said the road was not
only important to the people of the state but was
strategically significant to the ongoing military
operation in the region.
He assured the people of the state that the Army
would provide adequate security for motorists using
the road.
Mr. Buratai said the reopening of the road to the
public would also aid the restoration of civil
authorities in the recaptured areas.
He warned against extortion of motorists plying the
route by security agencies and vowed to deal
decisively with anyone found wanting.
“Even the terrorists are aware of the significance of
this road socially, economically and militarily.
“It is time for us to get it busy again so that
economic and social activities will be restored on
this axis.
“The Army will provide the required security for
users at all times.
“I want to use this opportunity to warn against
extortion of motorists, we are investigating the
allegations and anyone caught will be sanctioned.
“The NURTW should take note, We are here to do
our jobs and nobody should contribute money for
the purpose of paying security operatives, we don’t
want anyone to give us bad reputation,’’ he said.
The state secretary of the National Union of Road
Transport Workers (NURTW), Ahmed Musa,
commended the efforts of the military in reopening
the road.
He expressed regret at the closure of the road three
years ago, noting that it adversely affected the
economy of the state and the livelihood of the
people.
He said that reopening the road was an indication
that Boko Haram had been sufficiently degraded and
defeated.
Mr. Musa assured residents of the state of the
union’s cooperation and support for the military’s
operations.
He added that the union had arranged with its
members to reduce the cost of transportation from
Maiduguri to Gamboru-Ngala from N6, 000 to N2,000.
Musa said over 200 commercial vehicles would ply
the road on daily basis in a bid to hasten the
restoration of economic life along the axis.
NAN reports that the Army deployed several units of
its motorcycle battalion to constantly patrol flash
points on the Maiduguri-Gamboru road.
(NAN)

Source: naij