Bandits tend to haveshifted their attention from the northern part of the country to theSouth West region , like a waterfall cascading down the cliff of a hill.

This is evident in the number of cases of kidnapping for ransom in the region.

More frightening and worrisome is the consistency of this ugly trend on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, as Nigerianshave beeninundated with news of the abduction of unsuspecting travelers plying on this 127.6 kilometre-long road.

These unscrupulous elementswho masquerade as herders, wouldspring out from nowhere, interceptvehiclesand whiskpassengersinto the forest which links one state to another in the South West region , from where negotiations for ransom take place with captives’ relatives.

While somevictims never lived to narrate their ordeals in the hands of these villains, others managed to regaintheir freedom, after payment of ransom.

For some of these villains, human life means nothing. They kill at will, abandoning corpses of victims in the forests, orburying them in shallow graves, even when ransom had been paid.

Victims

One of the abducted victims on this expressway, considered as the busiest inter-state road and a major connecting routeto the northern, southern and eastern parts of the country,was former Deputy Vice- Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Prof. Adigun, Agbaje .

He was abducted alongside two sisters, one of whom was a final year student of the Moshood AbiolaPolytechnic , Abeokuta Ogun State, on October 28,2022.

They were released after an unspecified amount was paid as ransom.

Another victim was the daughter of a monarch in Oyo State , who was also released after an unspecified amount was reportedlypaid as ransom.

A student of a private university in Osun state who was kidnapped on this expressway , was later picked by her parents in the Ikorodu area of Lagos , this year.

Also, the driver of an inter-state buswas shot dead by these bandits, in their bid to forcefully bring the vehicle to an abrupt halt. They ended up whisking awaysomepassengers.

The list is endless!

The Lagos end of the long bridge is also not spared, as there had been several cases of attacks on motorists , especially at night.

Travelling on this expressway has become a major concern for manyNigerians living within this corridor, as the yuletide beckons, especially forthose who may not be able to afford the increased flight tickets by airlines.

Military moves in

Interestingly,the Nigerian Army has risen to the challenge, with troops of Exercise Still Watercombing the forests and the long-stretchedexpresswayfor these marauders .

The exercise which was flagged off in October 2022 ,replaced Exercise Crocodile Smile and itis expected among other objectives , to fish out cultists and banditsplanning to take over some communities in Lagos.

The stern looking troopsled by the 9 Brigade Commander, Ikeja Cantonment, Brig. Gen Isangubong Akpaumotia ,took a six- hour tour ofthe inner Lagos-Ibadan expressway, as well as astrategicassessment patrol to beef up securityon that corridor, lastweek Wednesday.

After the assessment, personnel were drafted to strategic places. Some of them went under the long bridge at the Lagos end and walked far into the bush. Others , embarked on vehicular patrol from the Lagos end, down to the Oyo end.

Speaking on the presence of the troops, Brig.Gen. Akpaumontia, said,“We are aware of the continuous harassment of Nigerians plying this road by kidnappers and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant GeneralFaroukYahaya ,believesthat is not good enough, particularly at a time like this. Thatis why we are here to make sure that we don’t allow it to happen.

“Wewill just be doing it fromtime to timeespecially during this Christmas seasonuntill the next generalelections . We will make sure we keep the spirit of Nigerians alive.

“Immediately you pass here (pointing to an end of the expressway) toOyo state, you will seeour troops from 2 Division.Wewant to make sure we keep the corridor open,as far as this Lagos-Ibadan expressway is concerned.

” Wewill try all that is withinour ability to make sure that this road remains safe . And with the assistance of the Police ,Civil Defense,Amotekun and other complementary securitystakeholders , the desired goal will be achieved.We will work togetherand that is what the Chief of Army Staff believesin “, he stated.

Other objectives

Apart from the goal of restoring sanity to the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Exercise Still Water is also saddled with the responsibilityof reducing to the barest minimum the prevailing security threats in riverine environment such as piracy, illegal oil bunkering activities, pipeline vandalism, cultism, militancy, terrorism and some other common sundry crimes in Lagos and Ogun states.

The exercise according to the GeneralOfficer Commanding 81 Division, Maj.Gen Obinna Ajunwa, who spoke at its flag off, was alsoaimed at sharpening the professional skills ofsecurity personnelinvolved.

He added that the exercise would be intelligence-driven and woulddovetail into real time operations at any moment a potent threat was encountered.

The exercise has, at least, brought some deterrence , as some of these malevolent individualswere said to have vacated some of the areas they were regularly sighted at night, waiting for the right time to strike.

GOC warns troops

As Nigerians plying this expressway look forward to an enduring presence oftroopsof Exercise Still Waterand other security agents , Maj. Gen Ajunwa cautioned the troopsnot to allow their attention to be”diverted to those things that will tempt you to commit an offenseyou will regret.

“Your weapon must be perfect, there is nothing like a mistake when it comes to the issue of weapons because it is a matter of life and death”. (Saturday Vanguard)