Nigeria’s deteriorating highway infrastructure is fueling a rise in armed robberies and kidnappings, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) warned Thursday, urging the federal government to expedite repairs along the notorious East-West corridor.

NURTW Chairman (Delta State) Francis Arhiyor said criminals are exploiting pothole-ridden stretches to ambush vehicles, turning routine journeys into perilous ordeals. “If the roads are good, the case of armed robbery and kidnapping will be reduced because these hoodlums have been taking undue advantage of the bad spots,” Arhiyor told reporters.

He singled out failed sections of the East-West highway in the Niger Delta, including the Benin Bypass to Lagos, Benin to Akwa Ibom, and Warri to Port Harcourt, as hotspots for attacks. The union called for urgent federal intervention, warning that drivers remain vulnerable without swift action. “We strongly appeal to the Federal Government to come to our aid to ensure the reconstruction of the roads without further delay,” Arhiyor added.

The chairman lauded Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for initiating repairs on the federal Warri-Sapele-Benin road last week. The move, he said, would alleviate the burden on union members who face frequent breakdowns and hijackings. “Our drivers have been having harrowing experiences... Most of our vehicles have broken down irretrievably because of the bad road,” he noted.

Governor Oborevwori, who flagged off the project on October 14, pledged over ₦10 billion for compensation and construction, emphasizing the importance of intergovernmental collaboration. “Development becomes faster when governments work together... The users are Deltans and Nigerians, and their safety and comfort are what matter most,” he said.

Federal Works Minister David Umahi inspected progress on the East-West road in Rivers State last month, setting a December 2025 deadline for one section and reserving smaller contracts for local firms. Despite these efforts, transport unions report continued criminal activity along the corridor, with experts linking improved infrastructure to reduced ambush risks.