Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Maiduguri have been identified as dangerous hotspots across Nigeria?s major cities and highways, amid rising insecurity according to a new report.

SBM Intel in its report titled: Roads To Nowhere ? A Bumpy Ride Through Nigeria?s Road, engaged 245 drivers across eight major commercial hubs: Abuja, Calabar, Jos, Kano, Lagos, Maiduguri, Onitsha, and Port Harcourt, to shed light on their realities.

The respondents identified dangerous hotspots across key urban centers and highways, highlighting cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Maiduguri as particularly vulnerable. These cities, crucial for interstate travel, were flagged for elevated insecurity, especially during evening peak hours when commuters are most at risk.

?Eleme Junction in Port Harcourt, Shagamu Interchange in Lagos, and the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road were cited as major danger zones for theft, attacks, and road-related hazards,? it said.

It added that Port Harcourt emerged as the most perilous city, with respondents singling out the Ihiala-Okigwe Road as a notorious hotspot. Maiduguri followed closely, with the Damaturu Forest and Daudu-Akeleku areas flagged for persistent security threats. The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway also ranked high for criminal activities.

The report said these findings highlighted the pressing need for improved security measures to safeguard travellers.

Kidnapping for ransom remains a significant threat, particularly on the Port Harcourt-Warri route, which has surpassed the Abuja-Kaduna highway in danger levels, it said.

?The Makurdi-Jos route presents another troubling scenario, with a blend of youth gang violence and farmer-pastoral conflicts. These incidents often lead to roadblocks and attacks on motorists, highlighting systemic lapses in government security provisions.?

It said, the inconsistency of police patrols further exacerbates the insecurity. While Calabar respondents reported occasional police visibility, cities like Port Harcourt stood out for the lack of any visible patrols. The absence of a consistent security presence undermines public confidence and leaves commuters vulnerable.

The report also disclosed that road conditions emerged as another critical issue, with widespread dissatisfaction among respondents. Nearly half (48.2 percent) rated the road surface condition as average, while 20.4 percent deemed it poor. Only a minority (17.6 percent) considered the conditions good.

The respondent said these adverse effects of poor infrastructure are far-reaching, causing delays for 31.8 percent of operators, increasing fuel consumption for 18.8 percent, and leading to frequent vehicle damage for 18.4 percent. These challenges culminate in higher maintenance costs for 49 percent of operators, significantly straining profitability.

Economic implications are profound, with transport operators compelled to revise pricing to sustain their operations. Over 85 percent of respondents reported raising their rates, with 31 percent implementing significant hikes.

Public transportation fares tripled. For instance, the typical average cost of a bus fare within the city in October 2024 was around N908.15, representing a slight increase from the previous month, the National Bureau of Statistics said. For intercity bus travel, the average fare in October 2024 was approximately N7,187.62, placing an immense burden on daily commuters.

The ripple effects extend to passengers, with 41.6 percent expressing mixed reactions to the increased fares. Some operators, striving to maintain customer loyalty, have absorbed the costs instead of passing them on.

Addressing these issues requires urgent government intervention to enhance infrastructure, bolster security, and support the economic viability of the nation?s transport operators, the report disclosed.

?Without swift action, the cycle of inefficiency and insecurity will continue to undermine progress and public trust,? SBM added. (Courtesy, excluding headline, Business Day)

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