The Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, a Transportation Corridor Under Insecurity

The rise of new forms of criminality such as kidnapping, herdsmen-farmers crisis and banditry on the Nigeria’s highways has become a significant problem warranting scholarly investigation in contemporary academic discourse. The Abuja-Kaduna Expressway was known to be a secure route but has become a hotspot for criminal activities, exposing travelers to harassment, intimidation, and violence. Despite military and paramilitary interventions, these security challenges persist, raising concerns about the effectiveness of government responses. This study examines the impact of insecurity on Nigeria’s transport system with emphasis on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway. Adopting a qualitative research methodology, data was retrieved through interviews and supplemented with secondary sources such as journal articles, online reports, newspapers, library and published theses. A case study research design was employed, with the utilisation of thematic analysis to interpret data and develop themes from participants' responses in order to achieve the study’s objectives. Grounded in Social Disorganisation theory, the study highlights the deterioration of road infrastructure and rising cases of kidnap and murder, affecting individuals from military, professional, socioeconomic and political backgrounds. The resulting climate of fear, trauma, and vulnerability among travelers and residents underscores the urgent need for intervention. The study recommends enhanced security presence in high-risk areas through proactive crime prevention measures. Additionally, road reconstruction and infrastructure improvements should be prioritised, particularly in regions where highway robbery and kidnapping are prevalent.