FERMA’s South-East 2 Zonal Director, Suleiman Mohammed Omonowo, issued the warning during an inspection of the project, cautioning against the burning of tyres during celebrations, which he said could damage the road surface.

He noted that destructive practices by some youths and community members often contribute to the early failure of road projects across the country.

“Our advice to road users, especially indigenes, is to protect the road from destruction. Let nobody come and destroy it or burn tyres in the name of celebration,” he said.

Omonowo said the Aba–Azumini highway was previously in a very bad condition before FERMA intervened, describing it as a death trap for commuters and residents.

He also expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done on the project, adding that drainage structures such as catch pits would help prevent flooding and extend the lifespan of the road.

According to him, the highway serves as a major link between Aba, several Abia communities, and Cross River State, carrying heavy traffic daily.

He urged local construction firms to improve on quality delivery to compete effectively with foreign contractors.

Meanwhile, the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer in Abia State, Festus Okafor, said FERMA workers have not faced harassment or violence from residents during operations in the state.

The incident reportedly occurred around midday on Wednesday when insurgents attempted to breach a military position in the community.

Security sources said troops engaged the attackers in a gunfight, during which several terrorists were also killed.

Describing the attack as tragic, Ndume called for stronger military action and improved equipment for security forces to tackle insurgency in the region.

He urged the Federal Government to prioritise training, equipment, arms, and motivation for the armed forces, stressing that modern weaponry is essential to defeating terrorist groups.

Ndume also called for the deployment of advanced military hardware, including armoured vehicles, fighter jets, and drones, to strengthen counter-insurgency operations.

He commiserated with the families of the victims and commended the efforts of the military, police, Civilian Joint Task Force, and local vigilantes in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

The senator further reiterated the need for sustained government support to security agencies to prevent further attacks and loss of lives in the region.

Reacting to the latest debt figures, Alaje said the country’s growing debt stock means higher repayment and servicing costs, which are ultimately funded through taxes and government revenue.

He explained that the ₦159 trillion debt reported by the Debt Management Office represents all outstanding loans owed by both the federal and state governments, with no cancellations or write-offs.

“The higher our debt stock, the higher the cost of servicing it,” he said, adding that increasing borrowing will continue to put pressure on the economy.

Alaje projected that Nigeria’s debt could rise further in the coming years, warning that it may exceed $160 billion by 2026 as new loans are added.

According to him, the country’s debt continues to grow as new borrowings are approved, adding to an already heavy fiscal burden.

DMO data shows Nigeria’s total public debt stood at ₦159.28 trillion as of December 2025, up from ₦153.29 trillion in the previous quarter.

The figure reflects both domestic and external debt, with domestic borrowing accounting for the larger share.

With Nigeria’s population estimated at about 220 million, the debt translates to roughly ₦724,000 per citizen.

Alaje warned that inflation and rising debt servicing costs are reducing purchasing power and worsening economic pressure on households.

He said the burden of repayment will ultimately fall on citizens through taxes, and in the long term, even future generations.

“The entire citizens will pay… and yes, the unborn generation will also pay,” he said.

The economist added that despite claims of improved revenue, government spending needs continue to outpace income, making borrowing unavoidable as a short-term solution.

He concluded that unless revenue growth matches rising expenditure, Nigeria’s debt burden will continue to increase.