Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum has visited the Ngomari airport section of the Maiduguri – Damaturu expressway, which has become notorious for multiple accidents allegedly caused by closure of one lane by the Nigerian airforce more than seven years ago.
The Air Force closed the road at the times Boko Haram fighters were attacking the military in Maiduguri.
Zulum visited the highway on Tuesday after a car accident involving Toyota Hiace and a tricycle claimed two lives with four others sustaining various degrees of injury.
While sympathizing with the victims and residents for the hardship faced as a result of the closure of the road, Governor Zulum assured that his administration will open the other lane of the express road to avert the loss of lives in the future.
“While appreciating the sacrifices of the Nigerian Airforce, I believe the time has come to reopen this road. We will liaise with the leadership of the Nigerian Airforce to ensure the road is reopened soon”, Zulum said.
He added, “ I am appealing to the general public to remain calm, Borno State Government will in no distant time address this problem to ensure that the highway is safe for motorists and other road users.”
… Residents lament
During Governor Zulum’s visit, residents complained about the road closure and its consequences.
Alhaji Kyari Kura Damasak, one of the residents, said since the closure of one lane by the airforce in the last nine years now, multiple cases of car accidents have been witnessed resulting to deaths.
Another resident, Ahmed Adamu, described the road as a death trap that claimed several lives and left many others injured.
On his part, Alhaji Mohammed Inuwa called on Governor Zulum to take urgent steps to address the issue and prevent similar accidents from occurring in future.
