Security Operatives Abandon Kebbi Highway Over Lakurawa Attacks

Security personnel, including officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force operating along Kamba Road in Kebbi State, have abandoned their checkpoints due to persistent attacks by Lakurawa terrorists, Daily Trust has observed.

Our correspondent, who visited the area recently, gathered that prior to the development, there were about 20 checkpoints between Unguwar Jeji in Kalgo Local Government Area and Kamba, a border town in Dandi Local Government Area of the state.

However, following sustained attacks by the terrorists, some of the checkpoints have been abandoned, paving the way for the smuggling of goods, commodities and vehicles into Nigeria from neighbouring Niger and Benin Republics.

From Unguwar Jeji to Bunza, nine checkpoints hitherto manned by operatives of Customs, the military and the police have now been deserted.

The affected checkpoints are Dangoma 1 and Dangoma 2 in Dangoma village, Kalgo LGA; Sabon Birni; Maidahini 1, Maidahini 2, Maidahini 3 (military checkpoint); Raha Junction checkpoint (Federal Operations Unit of Customs) and Bunza checkpoint.

A resident of Bunza, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “All the personnel have been withdrawn from the area. The Customs, for instance, who had the highest number of checkpoints along the road, have relocated their personnel to a mega checkpoint they recently mounted at Unguwar Jeji.”

He added that other security agencies had completely withdrawn from the road, recalling that immediately after Bunza town, there were two checkpoints – one for the military and another for the police.

“They have all been abandoned for several months. What happened was that the Lakurawa terrorists warned the military and policemen manning the checkpoints to leave the place after they spotted policemen on duty collecting bribes from commercial motorcyclists,” he said.

He lamented that the withdrawal is aiding smuggling, as according to him, “Illegal smugglers are now operating unchecked along the road.

Another resident, who also pleaded anonymity, said the absence of security personnel along the road has exposed several communities to bandit attacks.

“In the whole of Bunza town, we don’t have a military or police base. Just last Friday, the Lakurawa terrorists chased away the soldiers manning the only remaining military checkpoint in Bunza town.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Kebbi State Police Command, SP Bashir Usman, said some of the checkpoints along the Maje-Bagudo route were deliberately collapsed, and others fortified in order to strengthen operations in the axis.

“Any perceived reduction in the number of static checkpoints along the border routes should not be misconstrued as a reduction in security presence. Rather, it is part of a deliberate tactical shift towards more dynamic, intelligence-led and unpredictable patrol operations, including the Aberdeen patrol system.

“This approach has become necessary in view of the evolving tactics of criminal elements, including bandits and Lakurawa, who have increasingly targeted static security positions.

“By combining mobile patrols, intelligence gathering and joint operations with other security agencies, the Command is able to maintain effective coverage of routes such as Kalgo–Kamba while reducing the vulnerability of personnel and enhancing the safety of commuters and communities along the routes.

“Our deployment strategy remains dynamic and is continuously reviewed in response to emerging threats and intelligence,” SP Usman said. (Daily trust)