Nigerian military authorities have appealed to members of the public especially residents of Abuja to show understanding as soldiers carry out security checks on vehicles plying Nyanya-Abuja highway.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, on Tuesday said the checks are necessary as a precaution to further attacks by the Islamist sect, Boko Haram.
The recent bomb blast at Nyanya motor park left 75 people dead and hundreds injured and ever since, military check points have been mounted on the busy road.
Olukolade’s statement reads, “The traffic gridlock on Nyanya-Abuja highway as a result of the ongoing checks on vehicles coming into the city centre from that end has expectedly generated reactions and complaints from road users and the general public. The general public is assured that the measures are not punitive or deliberately meant to inconvenience road users. The actions are necessitated by the emerging security threats facing the nation which calls for support and understanding of the populace.
“The security measures will be reviewed as more equipment and additional support are introduced to ease the gridlock.
“Members of the public are requested to please bear with this temporary measure which is in the overall best interest of the public”.
