They
are no doubt a part of the social infrastructures built for one
purpose: to link one point with another. Be it in the air, on the land
or across the lagoon, they connect towns and decongest junctions to
ensure free flow of traffic. In places with features of urbanity, they
are a common sight. Thus, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, still counting,
are some major towns that boast of them. They are bridges.
Dangerous zones
In
Abuja, the rapid growing Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria,
they are ubiquitous. Some are for pedestrian crossing located on the
high ways while many are built over-head for vehicles. Currently, many
are in use just as there are others under construction. One of such
pedestrian bridges under construction on major highways in the
metropolis is found around Mabushi, directly opposite the headquarters
of Vehicle Inspectorate Office (VIO). When completed, it will connect
residents of Jabi/Utako Districts and Mabushi.There is yet another one
located just after Sheraton Hotel connecting Zone 4 and Shehu Musa
Yar’Adua Center at Central Area.Along
the ever-busy six lanes Apo-Maitama express way, construction of such
pedestrian bridges is on-going at Area One and Zone Seven intersections
to connect them with residents at Wuye District. Then enter Abuja-
Kubuwa-Kaduna Express Way. Bridges litter Gwarimpa junction linking
residents of Dawaki Area in Buari Area Council.One
is also found a little after Gwarimpa to connect people residing at
Dutse Alhaji, Kubuwa town and Federal Capital Development Authority
Estate (FCDA).
There
is another in Abuja main town connecting Zones Three and Four just
before the popular Police Station Wuse Market. Now, these are popular
bridges that link people to various parts within Abuja metropolis.
But
besides the services they render in the day time, the bridges are
dangerous zones at night. This, at least, Abuja Bulletin (AB)’s
investigations revealed.
Prompted
by the claim of theft and rape perpetrated by hoodlums on the bridges,
AB launched an investigation last week. The exercise was carried out
on Tuesday and Thursday. The areas visited included Zones Three and
Four, as well as Gwarimpa via Kabuwa Express way.
The bridge which spreads across the heavily residential
Zones Three and Four show signs of old age. It is poorly lit. Apart from
adjourning houses, there are bank buildings and other business
establishments around. Besides, there is also a stretch of dualized road
linking the road with Julius Berger Junction and Central Area. This
makes the bridge a must-use for any pedestrian who does not want delays
by the traffic or crushed by a fast moving vehicle. Day time on the
bridge gives a sense of security but evenings and nights instill fear.
Abuja
Bulletin arrived the scene at about 6 pm on Tuesday. Every thing looked
normal and natural with scanty number of passers-by. Of course, no one
would anticipate a criminal act at that time. Such happens unannounced.
It wasn’t just the time for one. But a look around the vicinity
revealed dangers AB beckoned to a female passer-by who obliged. Simply
giving out her name as Peace, a conversation ensued. ”Good evening,
ma. Do you live around here. How safe is this bridge at night? I heard
it is dangerous to ply at night”, I frontally asked.
Peace drew a long look at me. Her
answer helped my curiosity. She revealed that, on several occasions,
many had been victims of hoodlums’ attacks on the bridge.
She
told me that her fear, which informed her first reaction, was a feeling
that I was one of the hoodlums. She said the hoodlums adopt many
approaches to pull a fast one on their victims before disappearing.
Market on the bridge
Abuja
Bulletin also visited the pedestrian bridge along Abuja-Kubuwa Express
Way. One of the bridges along the road, that night, was a beehive of
commercial activities. It was simply a market on the bridge. All kinds
of wares were displayed. Pointed lines of light from all
manners of Chinese lanterns and torchlight always attract a motorist’s
eyes to the bridge.
The
place parades more of Hausa petty traders. But in the dark cover of the
night and the busy atmosphere, subtle attacks, snatching of female
handbags, ecetera, go on. This was according to sources. My sources were
many and randomly selected. Much as they buy and sell, Bukola, a
resident of the area, said that most people trade and tread with
caution. And that includes holding their handbags and purses
tenaciously. They revealed that some girls had
been raped in the area when they appeared unwilling to let go off their
valuables. But almost, always, the targets of the hoodlums are mobile
phones and wrist watches.
Black spots
One could imagine that Abuja, being the seat of power, is well policed
to prevent crimes, but hell no. The city, like many other cities in
the country, has its black places.
Do
not drive to some places in the FCT with your car window glass wound
down even if the car is not air conditioned. The places include the
junction linking NNPC Towers in Central Area, National Mosque and Zone
Four. There is a traffic light at the junction which makes the place
dangerous.
Investigations
showed that many women motorists have lost their handbags and other
valuables to common thieves and hoodlums who predate the place. A
victim, Kauthar Umar, told AB that she lost her phone to the boys.
Another victim, Kemi, said her handbag was snatched from her there. She
was, however, lucky to have it back after days of combing the vicinity
but not with the contents intact.
How they operate
While
waiting for the traffic light to turn green, the hoodlums, targeting
their victim would suddenly emerge from the bush around, grab the bag
from the car and disappear. You dare not run after them if you love your
life.
Police presence.
Many
policemen out on night duty, many residents alleged, disappear from
their duty posts anytime after 10pm thus making it easy for hoodlums to
operate. Indeed, the policemen come out later, but they hardly meet
emergency situations. If Abuja can be prone to insecurity on the
bridges, especially at night, what then happens to
other cities in the country? It is compelling to build bridges with
electricity components, such that the street lights would be on
throughout the night to curb the activities of the hoodlums
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