AN ASSESSMENT OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES AND ITS THREAT TO ROAD TRANSPORTATION IN MAKURDI BENUE STATE (A CASE STUDY OF LAFIA – MAKURDI HIGHWAY)

Abstract

The escalating waves of criminal activities involving motorists and other road users on highways is alarming resulting in many travelers losing lives and properties. This paper is aimed at assessing of criminal activities and its threat on road transportation along Lafia-Makurdi Highway, Benue State The study utilised both primary and secondary data sources namely; structured questionnaire and other relevant materials such as Journals and records from Police Stations. The questionnaire was analysed using Microsoft Excel Package and the results presented in charts. The results indicated that the state is bedeviled with five major types of crime which are banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping, herdsmen attack, and cultism of which kidnapping predominate with 31% for the period between 2021 to 2024. Investigation revealed that the major hotspots are settlements along Lafia-Makurdi highway such as thick forests of Akanga, Yelwata, Ortese , Daudu where bandits and killer herdsmen kill and maim commuters. It was recommended that appropriate socioeconomic and security measures should be placed more on the problematic areas for proactive majors to minimise the incidences of the attacks. The Police and the Nigerian army should deploy drones to the hotspots of these criminal activities to fish out bandits terrorising this highway.