A report by a think-thank, SB Morgan Intelligence, has ranked Port Harcourt-Warri Road in Southern Nigeria as the most dangerous route in Nigeria, surpassing the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
The Abuja-Kaduna road had registered some of the most prominent security incidents including the AK-9 train attack in March 2022, the report said
The report, which is the outcome of a survey conducted by the organisation on the state and challenges on Nigerian roads between January 2023 and December 12, 2024, stated that kidnapping for ransom now formed a major security threat to travellers across the Port-Harcourt-Warri route within the period under review.
According to the report, the security threats recorded on Port Harcourt-Warri Road are unlike the Makurdi-Jos route which recorded a mix of youth gang violence and pastoral conflicts that moved farmers to protest against the government’s poor security provision which, in turn, led to roadblocks and attacks against motorists.
The report stated that the survey highlighted the existence of dangerous hotspots across Nigeria’s major cities and highways, pinpointing areas with particularly high risks of theft, attacks, and road hazards.
The report stated, “Dangerous hotspots were identified in key urban centres like Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Maiduguri, all critical for interstate travel.
“These cities, known for heavy traffic, saw elevated insecurity, especially during peak travel hours in the evening, when commuters are most vulnerable.
“Data has shown that during the review period, the Port Harcourt-Warri route in Southern Nigeria has become the most dangerous, surpassing the Abuja-Kaduna highway which registered some of the most prominent security incidents (such as the AK-9 train attack) in March 2022.
“Kidnapping for ransom forms a major security threat to travellers across this route, unlike the Makurdi-Jos route, which has a mix of youth gang violence, and pastoral conflicts that move farmers to protest against the government’s poor security provision which, in turn, lead to roadblocks and attacks against motorists.”
The report further stated that Port Harcourt was identified as the most frequently cited hub for dangerous hotspots, with specific areas such as Eleme Junction and the Ihiala-Okigwe Road highlighted as particularly risky.
The report also stated that the survey also explored perceptions of police presence on the roads, noting that like the other cities, “Port Harcourt saw most respondents reporting occasional patrols.
“However, it stood out with the highest percentage of respondents noting “no visible patrols,” reflecting a significant concern about police presence within regional routes.
“The data reveals a common trend of sporadic police visibility across interstate routes, with occasional patrols being the most reported frequency.
“Regular patrols are not a consistent phenomenon, and in many cases, respondents flagged the rare visibility of security officials, raising questions about the consistency and effectiveness of police patrol efforts.
“These findings highlight the pressing need for more consistent and visible police patrols to enhance security and public confidence across these regions.”
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