The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Apapa, Lagos, Sylvanus Abbah, has warned that terrorists can exploit the gridlock on the Apapa bridges to attack Lagos.
He complained that the enormity of the traffic would hinder immediate response from security agencies if there was an emergency around the area.
Abbah stated this on Wednesday during an interactive session with stakeholders at the command on perennial gridlock on the Apapa Dockyard Road and neighbouring routes caused by tankers and trailers.
The naval boss called for drastic measures from all the stakeholders to decongest the gridlock and avert security and safety threats it posed.
Abbah issued the drivers 48hours to remove the trucks on the Apapa bridges to ease traffic.
He said, “Nigeria is going through a lot of trying times now. Terrorists may strike anytime in any part of the country without you predicting.
“We have to take adequate measures to prevent such from happening. Some of the vehicles have been parked on the bridges for two or three weeks, with some of them carrying loads.
“The terrorists and other enemies of Nigeria could easily use this opportunity. So many tankers are parked along the road; if any of them is set ablaze, you know what will happen to the rest.
“When the Chief of Naval Staff visited Lagos the other time, we were trapped in the traffic for over 30 minutes even with the sirens. He asked me what would happen if a pregnant woman who is about giving birth is faced with this traffic situation. So many people have lost their lives in this traffic jam.
“One of the constitutional roles of the military is to protect key national assets, including the bridges. If we need to enforce the laws of the land, we have to work hand-in-hand with the state government to ensure that sanity is restored.”
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