Human rights lawyer, Hamza Nuhu Dantani Esq., has appealed to the Nigerian Air Force to reopen the blocked section of dualized Kano – Maiduguri expressway.

Lamenting the dire consequences the continued closure of one section of the road for nine years has caused the residents of the state, Dantani explained that so many lives have been lost to avoidable accidents.

He said he recently lost his uncle, Garba Umar Abdullahi, a former staff member of Borno Express, on the road.

Dantani, who made the passionate appeal in a letter to the Chief of the Air Force, dated December 16, 2024, and copied to President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces; Governor of Borno State, and the Air Companion Commander, JTF (NE) Operation Hadin Kai, emphasised the need to consider the plight of citizens while maintaining appropriate security protocols.

While commending the sacrifices the Nigerian military have been making to ensure security of the lives and property of the citizens, the lawyer who is also an indigene of Borno state, maintained that reopening the closed section of the road would alleviate the suffering of citizens.

He reminded the Chief of the Air Staff that his intervention will undoubtedly reaffirm the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to serving and protecting not only our nation’s borders but also the daily lives of its citizens.

The letter obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday is titled: “Appeal to reopen blocked section of Kano-Maiduguri Express Way, adjacent Gomari Way, opposite Barwee Hotel, along Nigerian Air Force barracks, Maiduguri, Borno State.”

The letter partly reads: “Let me start by saying that I appreciate the sacrifices and tireless efforts of the Nigerian Air Force and all the military architecture of the country in safeguarding lives and property, particularly during these challenging times marked by heightened security concerns all over the country.

“I, however, wish to bring to your attention the dire consequences of the continued closure of one section of the dualized Kano-Maiduguri Express Way, adjacent Gomari way, opposite Barwee hotel, along Nigerian Air Force Barracks, Maiduguri, Borno State.

“This road, which has now been blocked for about nine years, serves as a crucial link between several significant parts of Maiduguri, Borno State and the entire Northern part of the country and is of immense importance to the daily activities of citizens. For emphasis, it is the only access road to Borno State University, 777 and 1000 housing estate and other communities like Gomari, Moranti, amongst others.

“While I fully understand that the section was closed for security reasons as a result of the insurgency, the prolonged restriction has had far- reaching negative impacts on the lives of motorists and residents. More so, the road was blocked about nine years ago when there was a Boko Haram attack in that axis, however, since then, there has been no report of any attack in that area. The concentration of all traffic on the single accessible lane has therefore led to severe congestion, accidents, and loss of lives and property.

“Recently, my own family was personally affected when I lost my dear uncle, Garba Umar Abdullahi, a former staff of Borno Express, in a tragic accident on this road. Just last week, there was another accident on the road and from the reports obtained from the police, a lot of accidents have occurred on that road due to the blockage of an entire lane of the road. These incidents, among many others, underscore the urgency of finding a balanced solution to the situation.”

He, however, pointed out that in other states, roads close to military barracks have not been entirely restricted to the public.

He cited the roads along the barracks of other security forces in Borno state which he noted are not partially restricted to the public.

He said, “For instance, both lanes of the road along the police command in Maiduguri are open to the public and there have been no attacks. Same applies to the road adjacent Giwa barracks in Maiduguri, Borno state.

“Even the dualized road in front of the Army Headquarters and the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters in our nation’s capital remains open for use. This demonstrates that effective security measures can coexist with unhindered public access to critical infrastructure.

“In light of these issues, I humbly appeal to your esteemed office to review the current arrangement and consider reopening the closed section of the road.”

Sahara Reporters