Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
August 29, 2022.
A pregnant woman was killed with the floating of three vehicles at a collapsed bride along the Damaturu-Miringa road in Borno state.
Confirming the Sunday noon incident, yesterday (Monday) in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital, John Audu, a survivor disclosed that some of the commuters are missing, while others passed the Sunday night at Buni/Yadi town.
He said that the collapsed bridge near Miringa has also cut off many communities in southern Borno comprising eight Local Government Councils.
He added that the Biu passengers had to make a U turn to travel back to Damaturu and other destinations, as their vehicles could not cross the bridge.
He said that the Saturday rainfall last for over six hours, before the bridge collapsed near Buratai, the homestead of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd).
According to residents of Miringa, the 130-kilometre Damaturu-Biu road remains the safest, as the 187-kilometre Maiduguri-Biu road could not plied; because of the over a decade insurgency in the state.
“This road remains a nightmare to commuters and motorists in the state, three years after the military has closed it to the public,” he lamented, stating that activities of insurgents remain abated, despite pledges from the Borno state government and the Army.
He however, noted that the Yobe state government has built the affected road for 73 kilometres to the border with Borno state near Buratai.
Another resident, Isa Yakubu told The Guardian that the 57-kilometre road from the border with Yobe state to Biu, is yet to be completed by Fik Construction firm, six years after the contract was awarded by the Federal Government
Buratai last two years took it upon himself and fixed some deplorable portions, but to no avail as the road became deplorable to motorists.
“Our pleas to the State government to fix the road, however; fell on deaf ears for over two decades of ‘misery and insecurity’ along the road,“ he said.
