Insurgency: Borno govt reopens Maiduguri–Dikwa–Gamboru/Ngala border road

NNN: The Borno government and the Nigerian military reopened the Maiduguri-Dikwa-Gamboru/Ngala highway for unrestricted movement on Friday.

Let us remember that there was a restriction of movement on the 138-kilometre border highway that connects Nigeria with Cameroon and the Republic of Chad, due to the insurgency.

Speaking at the ceremony in Maiduguri, Governor Babagana Zulum said motorists can now travel on the road from 8am to 2pm.

Mr. Zulum said that while motorists did not need a security escort from Maiduguri to Dikwa, the military with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF and Hunters, would escort motorists for the remaining journey of some 60 kilometers from Dikwa to Gamboru. Ngala.

He urged motorists to observe all the rules and regulations established by the authorities while driving on the road for their safety and easy movement.

In his remarks, Joint Task Force Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Christopher Musa, thanked the Borno government for its sustained support of the armed forces and other security agencies in the state.

“We encourage you not to give in. We assure you of our cooperation and support in all aspects to ensure that Borno and the northeast in general remain peaceful,” Musa said.

Excited motorists and commuters, in their varying responses, praised the development which they said would boost commercial activities in view of its commercial viability.

“From Maiduguri to Gamboru/Ngala it is only two hours by car, but due to the insurgency, we used to spend about four days. We really suffered for years.

“Now that there is unrestricted movement, we can only say thank God, thank Governor Zulum and the Nigerian military,” said Idris Habib, a businessman.

NAN reports that the highlight of the ceremony is the presentation of 10 patrol vans to the Army, while the group of hunters and the CJTF patrolling the highway received four patrol vans each.

YAYA