Ibrahim Muhammad, the general manager of the Sokoto State Transport Authority, has appealed to the governors of Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara to join hands to protect inter-state transport vehicles from bandit attacks.

Mr Muhammad made the appeal in an interview with journalists on Monday in Sokoto. He explained that vehicles were being attacked by suspected bandits, especially around the Zamfara border with Katsina, stressing that the deployment of more security personnel to the flashpoints would further safeguard the vehicles.

According to him, many travellers, including high-ranking officers, patronise the mass transit vehicles. He, however, observed that increased threats by bandits and other hoodlums had become a challenge to the managers.

Mr Muhammad said the authority had begun converting its existing fleet from petrol to compressed natural gas to reduce operational costs.

He said the exercise started with the authority’s “Iyaye Mata” vehicles for women and had already been completed on seven vehicles deployed on the road. The GM explained that the high cost of petrol drove the decision to convert the vehicles.

Mr Muhammad said drivers of the authority’s “Iyaye Mata” vehicles pay ₦2,000 daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Passengers are charged between ₦150 and ₦300 per trip depending on distance, as part of the government’s subsidy.

He added that after converting the “Iyaye Mata” vehicles, the authority would proceed with converting its buses.

(NAN)