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FCT residents share concern over risky crossing of highways, frequent deaths

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Crossing the expressways without making use of pedestrian bridges has become a daily practice in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, and its environs.

Ekwutosblog also gathered that residents abandon similar bridges in locations like Gwarinpa, Gwagwalada, Lugbe, Berger, NICON junction, Wuye, Nyanya and Mararaba, an outskirt of the FCT domiciled in Nasarawa state.

Insead, the pedestrian bridges now serve as markets, display stands for wares and resting places for homeless persons.

Many lives have been lost in the FCT and its environs as residents venture to cross the expressway instead of using pedestrian bridges across the nation’s capital city.

However, in some instances, the victims had no choice, as there was no pedestrian bridge available at the point they had to cross the expressway.

Ekwutosblog gathered that in April, a young man who was on his way to work was knocked down as he tried to cross the expressway at Berger Junction in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The young man died on the spot.

 

Eyewitnesses said the young man’s office was just across the road, and as there was no pedestrian bridge at that particular location, he decided to cross the expressway to get to his place of work.

Unfortunately, he was knocked down by a vehicle moving at top speed.

Also, in early May, another young man who decided to cross the expressway, instead of using the pedestrian bridge, at the Galadimawa Junction along the Kubwa Expressway in Abuja, was killed by a fast moving vehicle.

Ekwutosblog reports that the driver of the vehicle, who was nearly mobbed by a crowd that gathered at the scene of the incident, lamented that he did not see the victim until it was too late, as he did not expect anybody to cross the expressway, when there is a pedestrian bridge available.

The driver’s explanations, however, calmed down the angry crowd, and a group of policemen stationed at a police post at the junction admonished the gathering on the need to use pedestrian bridges, instead of taking the risky option of crossing the expressway.

The pedestrian bridges are considered key infrastructure in modern road projects, especially in densely populated urban centres to ensure safety on the roads.

 

Unfortunately, most residents in the city neglect this safety measure and prefer crossing the highways, thereby slowing down vehicular movement.

Most expressways in Abuja are constructed and divided with concrete barricades, which points against highway foot crossing, but residents usually jump over these barricades to cross the road.

Residents jump down from the barricades and would not be able to control themselves in the middle of the road until a driver applied the brake.

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Uche Collins Foundation, has sought partnership with relevant stakeholders to increase sensitisation on the use of pedestrian bridges in the territory’s highways.

The Foundation stressed that many of the pedestrian bridges in the nation’s capital were being seen as monumental decorations rather than being used by pedestrians for their safety.

“As an NGO, we feel the need to increase sensitisation and awareness of this public facility, hence reaching out to good spirited individual, organisations to partner with us in driving this message,” the Foundation said.

Speaking with residents in the FCT, Ekwutosblog gathered that many road users are aware of the risk of crossing the roads without the use of the pedestrian bridges.

Some of the residents explained that they cross the highway when they are in a hurry to work or have urgent appointments, adding that using the pedestrian bridge could be stressful, as they don’t have the required time to complete such a journey.

A resident of Nyanya, Peter Adebayo, who lives in a street nearby to a pedestrian bridge, described the act as ‘open-source to death’ stressing that those who cross the highway are risking their lives.

“If you cross the expressway without using the pedestrian bridge, it sometimes leads to accidents because the highways are meant for vehicular movement and not for footpaths.

“Residents who engage in the practice risk their lives, especially during rush-hours in the morning.

“Highway is a motor lane at high speed and it is not safe to cross the highway on foot, those crossing because they are in a hurry are endangering their lives.

“I usually take my time whenever I wanted to cross the expressway because I think it is the safest thing for me to do, though on the other hand the government is also endangering the citizens because they site pedestrian bridges at the wrong place, even to trek from bus stops to pedestrian bridge is another journey and I think that’s why people usually cross the highway because they don’t have the required time to cover up,” he stated.

In the same way, another resident in Kugbo, Abuja, Mr Ola Abiola criticised the government and contractors for building pedestrian bridges where it is not useful.

Abiola said, “Most pedestrian bridges in Abuja are not built at the right place, for instance in Wuye.

“Government needs to ensure proper supervision of projects that concern human life.”

A resident, Ephrain Ager, who Ekwutosblog witnessed crossing the Musa Yar-Adua Expressway, Airport Road, when asked the reason for taking such risk, agreed that it was not the right thing to do.

He noted that people would rather cross the road because most of the bridges are situated at a distance of about 1 kilometre from the bus stop.

“Yes, we have seen many people lose their lives here on this road,” he said.

Another resident, Ngozi Nnanna, however, said safety should always come first irrespective of the distance of the pedestrian bridges.

“I am taking the pedestrian bridge because it is safer. Of what use are the bridges constructed by the government if they are ignored by pedestrians,” she asked.

According to a taxi driver, Ikechukwu Ubani, pedestrians underrate the high speed of moving vehicles on the express roads.

Ubani said, “They usually think moving vehicles are far but not knowing that the distance can be covered in a few seconds and they run into the road and they get hit.”

Efforts by Ekwutosblog to speak with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, on measures to enforce the compulsory usage of pedestrian bridges across the FCT, and other concerns raised by residents proved abortive as several calls put across were not responded to.

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Constituency projects fund should go to security – Ex-Defense spokesman, Enenche

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A former Defense spokesman, Maj-Gen John Enenche (rtd) has said that the money given to lawmakers for constituency projects should go to security instead.

General Enenche made this statement in an interview on ‘Sunday Politics’, a program on Channels Television monitored by Ekwutosblog

He was reacting to the wave of insecurity bedeviling the country where people are being kidnapped, including women and schoolchildren.

 

“I want to suggest that money given to lawmakers for constituency projects should go to security instead. If you don’t save the constituency, what project will you do there?

“Let’s adopt indigenous homeland security and recruit our youths even someone living with HIV or hepatitis can join the force.

“What I would suggest is that you don’t need special recruitment. You don’t need special screening. Somebody carrying HIV can be part of that force. Somebody carry hepatitis can be part of that force, but they will not even go into the Army. No, they want to live where God has put them,” he said.

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VIDEO: IT’S ALL FALSE , THERE IS NO SUSPECT IN ANTI-KIDNAPPING UNIT [TIGER BASE] OWERRI THAT HAS STAYED IN CUSTODY FOR MORE THAN 48- HOURS WITHOUT COURT ORDER. — IMO POLICE PPRO RESPONDS TO DETENTION ACCUSATIONS DURING FACILITY INSPECTION BY PRESS MEN.

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By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke

7- DEC- 2025

 

The Imo State Police Command on Friday, December 5, 2025, opened the doors of its Anti-Kidnapping Unit—widely known as Tiger Base—to an independent inspection team made up of journalists, civil society groups, and human rights advocates, following viral allegations of organ trafficking, torture, unlawful detentions, and the existence of a “slaughterhouse” within the facility.

Acting on the directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, and the Commander of the Unit, ACP Odeyeyiwa Oladimeji, led the fact-finding delegation through all sections of the premises in Owerri. The visit was designed to ensure transparency and address public concerns generated by several sensational online reports.

Throughout the tour, the delegation inspected operational areas, observed procedures, and engaged directly with officers. In one corner of the compound, the team sighted carved wooden images previously misrepresented on social media as ritual objects or a shrine. Police authorities explained that these carvings—made of wood, iron, and cement—were exhibits recovered from hideouts linked to suspected IPOB/ESN operatives and kidnapping gangs across Imo State. According to ACP Oladimeji, the criminals believed the objects held mystical powers, and the police retained them as evidence for ongoing investigations.

The visitors also interacted with several detainees, including individuals suspected of involvement in kidnapping and other violent crimes. Many of them openly admitted to the offences for which they were arrested and confirmed that they were being fed properly while awaiting their scheduled court processes.

Another item inspected was an ash-coloured Highlander Jeep with plate number LSD 413 JJ. The vehicle, stained with blood, belonged to a woman recently shot dead by masked gunmen at Umuekerekpu Ndegwu in Owerri West LGA. A surviving occupant of the vehicle narrated to reporters how their employer was fatally shot in the head, while both he and another passenger sustained gunshot injuries and were currently receiving medical treatment in Owerri.

At the end of the assessment, members of the visiting delegation unanimously stated that none of the frightening claims circulating online—ranging from organ harvesting to the existence of an abattoir—were visible or supported by what they witnessed.

DSP Okoye emphasized that Tiger Base is a legitimate tactical formation of the Nigeria Police Force tasked with confronting kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, terror-related activities, and other serious crimes. He disclosed that the facility is fitted with CCTV cameras linked directly to the office of the Commissioner of Police, enabling round-the-clock monitoring for accountability.

He reiterated that the allegations trending on social media were malicious distortions aimed at misleading the public. The human skulls displayed earlier in 2025, he clarified, were exhibits recovered from criminal hideouts—not evidence of ritual practices, as some had falsely claimed.

ACP Oladimeji further noted that the unit handles only high-profile criminal cases and operates newly commissioned charge rooms and tactical units dedicated to strengthening security across Imo State. The team also observed dozens of seized motorcycles, which the police said were confiscated in compliance with the Imo State Government’s ban on motorcycle operations within the Owerri metropolis under the Shared Prosperity Administration.

The inspection team applauded the Police Command for permitting unrestricted access to Tiger Base and underscored the importance of ongoing cooperation between security institutions, the media, and civic groups to maintain public trust and enhance safety across the state.

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TENSION IN ABIA COMMUNITY AS POLICE PROBE MURDER OF MISSING 25-YEAR OLD YOUTH WHO’S BODY WAS FOUND HEADLESS, SIX ARRESTED.

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By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
7- DEC- 2025

A cloud of sorrow and outrage has settled over Amangwo Umuigu in Oboro, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, after the decomposing, headless remains of 25-year-old Solomon Ikoku were discovered weeks after his disappearance. Ikoku, who went missing on September 27, 2025, was reportedly abducted during the community’s New Yam Festival in a violent early-morning raid.

Residents recounted that armed men—believed to be members of a controversial vigilante outfit—stormed the family home at about 5 a.m., assaulting the young man before dragging him away. After weeks of unanswered questions and failed searches, community youths launched a coordinated hunt on October 27, which led to the tragic discovery of Solomon’s remains in a shallow waterway on the outskirts of the village. His leg and other body parts were later found scattered in nearby bushes, deepening the community’s grief.

Members of the search team described the scene as horrifying. One volunteer, who spoke anonymously, said the discovery of Ikoku’s bones and the clothes he wore on the morning of his disappearance left them heartbroken.

The incident has triggered widespread anger, with many residents pointing accusations at the village’s disbanded vigilante group, allegedly loyal to the community’s traditional ruler, Eze Larry Agwu. Critics claim the group operated with impunity and may have been responsible for the abduction and brutal killing.

However, Eze Agwu has firmly rejected the allegations, calling them politically motivated falsehoods linked to an ongoing kingship dispute within the community. According to him, the vigilante group acted independently and had been inaugurated years earlier by village authorities and security agencies. He insisted he neither ordered nor endorsed any attack on the late Ikoku.

The monarch further explained that he was informed by the group that the victim’s sister had allegedly sought their help after the young man threatened their mother—an account strongly disputed by Ikoku’s family. The deceased’s brother, Victor, accused the vigilantes of premeditated violence, alleging that his brother’s body was burnt and mutilated, and insisting that no family member invited the group on the night of the incident.

Adding to the controversy, the community chairman, Munachi Onwuchekwa, accused the king of enabling the vigilante group even after the wider community had dissolved it four years earlier due to misconduct. He stated that the group continued to operate under the monarch’s patronage, despite repeated complaints.

As tensions rise, the Abia State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of six suspects linked to the vigilante group, while others remain at large. Among those implicated are Alozie Eluwa, Stanley Okutuo, Godwin Kanu, Maduabuchi Enyinnaya, Godwin Sampson, Emeka Nwagboso, Ikechi Hope, and several others still being sought by authorities.

Police spokesperson Maureen Chinaka called for calm and urged residents to allow the investigative process to proceed without interference. She emphasized that a meticulous probe was necessary given the gravity of the crime, assuring the community that justice would be pursued diligently.

The investigation continues as the community grapples with shock, fear, and calls for accountability following the gruesome killing.

 

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