Road Katsina Ala - Takum: Kidnapping hotspot | Warning

May 21st, 2022 by instagram.com/thelongerwaydown

Drove this road with no issues, police checkpoints every 3-4km, just the classic ‘Have you got anything for us?’

February 24th, 2020 by fullgex

We did the 140kms between Katsina and Katum with no problems by bikes.
There is a check point every 3 kms, so it seemed very secured to me. Nobody told us it was dangerous nor to have an escort.

February 23rd, 2020 by boryenek

katsina ala-takum-bali-serti done in 1 day. too many checkpoints.
beautiful road. bad road from Katsina Ala to Takum (3hours) then tarred road from Takum to Bali (2 hours) then good road from Bali to Serti (2 hours).
we found ATM in Takum, Bali and Serti.
diesel available in Takum, Balu and Serti.
no escort.

February 9th, 2020 by christoph.huegli

I was slightly paranoid because of the comments. This turned out to be a nice Sunday morning ride for me. Maybe everyone was at church? I blazed past the checkpoints (motorcycle), the officers seemed to put up with it.
No problems.

November 15th, 2019 by gritschontour.com

No problems at all!!! Latest scam, "You are not allowed to drive, you need a black driver!"
If I remember correctly, the first two checkpoints out of Katsina Ala. All the others were really friendly!!! just before Takum starts a brand-new road!!

August 30th, 2019 by afriquevoyageuse

There is a lot of checkpoints at this road leading up to Takum, because it’s a state border. Not necessarily because it’s dangerous. Was asked earlier if I wanted an escort, but I declined. Not sure if that was a good decision, but locals said it’s not dangerous and nothing happened to me.

Takum, currently there is ethnic violence involving murders between 3 ethnic groups. Not all of Takum is dangerous, but there is an area that is, and it needs to be avoided! Ask locals and police before driving through. This whole area including Gembu is prone to off and on ethnic violence.

April 13th, 2019 by gautier.delabie

to add a precision : there are many checkpoints on this road, so I guess there were/are issues on this stretch indeed. on the other hand the presence of military means it's also kinda safe(?)
they went down to 10,000 for the escort, which I finally didn't take. I asked a Nigerian who was being escorted/transported by a police car for some part of this road if he paid anything he said "no".
The police is keen on making money in this area. The behaviour of some policewoman who was willing to help arrange the escort was particularly business oriented.
stay safe!

April 4th, 2019 by michiel

Many police an military checkpoints on this route, only had to stop a few times, friendly officers. They did not say that we should take escort.

November 3rd, 2018 by laurapfaelzner

Between Katsina Ala and Takum kidnappings are taking place!!
Locals and foreigners are at aim.
Ransom for locals 1 Million, for foreigners 15 Million Naira.
Police is highly concerned.
We were escorted by 5 armed men, payed 20.000 N for escort (Yes, they are making a lot of money this way!). Being escorted, we gave three guys a lift to Takum who had been held as hostages for 11 days and were heading home after ransom was payed by family members. Danger seams to be real!

For information and escort call Inspector Haletu, responsible for “Kidnapping task force”: ‭08036227789‬
or
Get more information from Katsina Ala police station.