COMMERCIAL tricycles in Maiduguri, the northeastern Nigerian city worst affected by the Boko Haram terror banditry, have become death traps after a spate of acid attacks on women travellers.
It is feared the attacks are the handiwork of the Islamist terror organisation, allegedly having infiltrated the industry.
The latest victim is a final year nursing student at the University of Maiduguri, who is battling for life after unknown tricycle (keke napep) operators allegedly bathed her with acid as she used the transport service.
Another woman was also bathed in acid and sustained severe burns last Thursday also in the city, which is the capital of the restive Borno State.
Women’s rights organisations condemned the rising cases of such a
They bemoaned the acid attacks added to an already volatile atmosphere with Maiduguri besieged by insurgency, kidnappings and rape.
“We therefore want to call on the relevant authorities to please reorganize the keke napep operations for the better and purposeful services to the people,” said Hajiya Hadiza Bukar, Chairperson of the National Association of Women Journalists.
She said the violations were carried out under the influence of drugs and after consumption of illicit, intoxicating cough syrup.
The attacks on women have raised fears of the involvement of the Boko Haram.
It is perpetrating a reign of terror in a bid to overthrow the government and establish an Islamic state.
Maifuguri is the epicentre of terror that has seen an estimated 100 000 civilians killed and over 2 million displaced.
ttacks.