From AbdulRazaq Kaura (Zamfara)
Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have successfully reopened popular Gusau-Sokoto Highway which was blocked by protesters since 6am of Friday over worsening insecurity in their villages.
The protesters were people of Bingi, Gari Ilu, Tashar Abu villages in Maru and Bungudu local government areas who blocked the ever busy highway to express their anger over what they described as frequent banditry attacks on their villages and withdrawal of military personnel deployed to the area.
In an interview with Radio Nigeria at the scene, one the stranded passengers, Shafi’u Dan-Almajir lamented the hardship he experienced in the 11 hours he spent awaiting the reopening of the Road, saying government and security agencies should come to the aid of the villagers.
On his part, an activist, Umar Muhammad who was trapped on the road said it was a bad experience and violation of other people’s right, saying the State is bleeding.
When contacted, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of One Brigade Headquarters, Gusau, Captain Yahaya Ibrahim said military didn’t withdrew their personnel rather restrategizing for effective coverage of the area, saying troops of the OPHD have acted professionally to amicably disperse the protesters and reopen the road without any casualty and reassured people of the state of their commitments to professionally dislodge the remnants bandit in the State.
Radio Nigeria in Gusau reports that, the road was reopened around 8:07pm, but due to the much traffic motorists are still in hold up moving out of the area.