Human rights lawyer Hamza Nuhu Dantani has called on the Nigerian Air Force to reopen a section of the dualized Kano-Maiduguri Expressway, which has been closed for nine years. The closure, he said, has led to numerous avoidable accidents and loss of lives, severely impacting the residents of Maiduguri and surrounding areas.
Dantani, in a letter dated December 16, 2024, addressed to the Chief of Air Staff and copied to the President of Nigeria, Borno State Governor, and other key officials, emphasized the hardship the closure has caused. He shared a personal tragedy, recounting the death of his uncle, Garba Umar Abdullahi, a former Borno Express staff member, in an accident on the congested road.
The lawyer acknowledged the security reasons behind the closure but argued that the situation has significantly improved since the initial Boko Haram attack in the area nine years ago. He highlighted that the continued restriction has funneled all traffic onto a single lane, causing severe congestion and frequent accidents.
Dantani also pointed out that similar roads near military installations in other parts of Maiduguri and across Nigeria remain open to the public. He cited examples of unrestricted dualized roads near Giwa Barracks, the Maiduguri Police Command, and even in front of the Army and Police Force Headquarters in Abuja. This, he argued, demonstrates that effective security measures can coexist with public access to critical infrastructure.
In the letter, titled “Appeal to Reopen Blocked Section of Kano-Maiduguri Expressway,” Dantani stated:
“This road is a vital link for Maiduguri and northern Nigeria, providing access to Borno State University, housing estates, and numerous communities. Its closure has caused untold suffering and avoidable tragedies.”
Dantani urged the Nigerian Air Force to reconsider the closure and adopt balanced security measures that prioritize both safety and the well-being of citizens.
