Military Begins Removal Of Illegal Checkpoints Nationwide
Federal Government Directs Clampdown On Illegal Checkpoints
The Federal Government has ordered the immediate dismantling of illegal military checkpoints across Nigeria.
A memo dated December 5, endorsed by Brigadier General A. Rabiu on behalf of the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, conveyed the instruction.
The directive focuses on unauthorized checkpoints that hinder movement and expose both security operatives and civilians to needless risks.
This action follows growing insecurity, rising transport costs, and mounting reports of extortion on major highways across the country.
Defence Ministry Raises Alarm Over Surge In Unauthorised Checkpoints
The internal memo, sighted by this newspaper, disclosed that the Defence Ministry has observed an increasing number of illegal checkpoints.
It noted that such checkpoints now appear along several federal and state routes without formal clearance from the military high command.
The memo cautioned that the spread of unapproved checkpoints weakens command structure and leaves personnel vulnerable to ambush and attacks.
It instructed all service chiefs and field commanders to locate, assess, and remove illegal roadblocks within their jurisdictions.
Effect On Ordinary Nigerians: Holdups, Extortion, And Insecurity
For countless Nigerians, checkpoints have become a routine part of road travel.
Yet, accounts from drivers and passengers indicate that some of these roadblocks now function more as centres of extortion than as security posts.
Civil society organisations have recorded instances where motorists are compelled to pay unofficial “pass fees” at multiple stops on a single journey.
Transport unions in states such as Lagos, Kaduna, and Anambra have similarly complained about delays and escalating costs tied to checkpoint gridlock.
Financial Burden On Commuters And Traders
Transport fares had already risen steeply in 2024 due to fuel subsidy removal and inflation.
Additional delays at illegal checkpoints prolong travel time, increase fuel consumption, and accelerate vehicle depreciation.
These expenses translate into higher passenger fares and increased prices for food and other goods transported by road.
Market traders conveying produce from rural communities to urban centres report income losses when perishable items spoil after prolonged waits at numerous checkpoints.
Security Threats To Citizens And Security Operatives
Security experts have cautioned that criminals sometimes impersonate security agents at fake checkpoints.
Such individuals wear uniforms or reflective vests to stop vehicles, then proceed to rob passengers or abduct victims.
The Defence Ministry memo affirmed that unauthorized checkpoints expose legitimate personnel to unnecessary risks, including surprise assaults.
Analysts highlight that terrorists and bandits have in the past struck static checkpoints using explosives and coordinated attacks.
Statistics Reveal Worsening Road Insecurity Despite Numerous Checkpoints
Existing security data suggest that the heavy presence of checkpoints has not decisively reduced attacks on Nigerian roads.
Independent monitoring by SBM Intelligence and other security trackers has documented recurring abductions along highways in the FCT, Kaduna, Niger, Kogi, and the South-East.
The International Organisation for Migration has classified Nigeria’s road corridors as high-risk zones for armed robbery and kidnapping, particularly at night.
Security specialists contend that an excess of poorly supervised checkpoints creates confusion, erodes discipline, and complicates oversight.
Key Data Points And Trends
Recent figures and field accounts obtained by this newspaper indicate that:
– Nigeria records hundreds of kidnap-for-ransom cases each year, many occurring along highways.
– Transport fares have climbed sharply since mid-2023, driven by higher fuel prices and prolonged delays.
– Civil society bodies have consistently logged complaints of extortion at roadblocks.
– Security analysts associate static, uncoordinated checkpoints with increased susceptibility to ambush.
Government Pursues Road Safety And Anti-Corruption Measures
The Defence Ministry’s directive fits into broader efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s security framework.
The Federal Government has repeatedly vowed to curb corruption within security outfits and enhance safety on the roads.
Officials maintain that better coordination of checkpoints will strengthen intelligence-driven operations rather than random stops.
By eliminating illegal checkpoints, authorities hope to safeguard citizens while cutting down avenues for bribery and abuse.
Responsibilities Of The Nigerian Army And Other Security Bodies
The Nigerian Army, police, and other law-enforcement agencies commonly share duties at checkpoints.
The memo issued by Brigadier General Rabiu on behalf of Minister Christopher Musa indicates stricter central oversight of military deployment on highways.
Senior commanders are now required to ensure that every checkpoint has written authorization, a clearly defined mandate, and effective supervision.
Checkpoints lacking approval are to be dismantled, with personnel reassigned to strategic locations backed by credible intelligence.
Public Response: Cautious Relief And Doubt
Many road users have welcomed the announced crackdown on illegal checkpoints, anticipating quicker and safer trips.
Commercial drivers in Abuja, Onitsha, and Kano told reporters they frequently meet several checkpoints within short stretches of road.
Some drivers voiced optimism that the directive will reduce “multiple taxation” on the highways and cut their daily operating costs.
Nonetheless, human rights advocates pointed out that earlier directives of this nature yielded only modest, short-lived changes in practice.
Demands For Openness And Citizen Oversight
Civil society groups have called on the Defence Ministry to release explicit guidelines listing all authorised checkpoints.
They insist that citizens should be able to identify which agencies have lawful powers at each checkpoint.
These organisations also pushed for hotlines and online platforms through which motorists can report illegal checkpoints and extortion as they occur.
According to them, such mechanisms would enhance accountability and provide authorities with verifiable data for enforcement.
Wider Governance And Security Implications
The directive emerges at a time when the Federal Government is under pressure to rebuild public confidence in security institutions.
Cases of police and military abuse, combined with ongoing insecurity, have diminished trust among large segments of the population.
Analysts argue that sanitising checkpoint operations offers a visible demonstration that authorities are committed to accountability and adherence to the law.
It also connects with broader discussions on federalism, distribution of resources, and the necessity for better-trained, better-equipped security personnel.
Connection To Economic Recovery And Investor Confidence
Safe, predictable road transport remains crucial to Nigeria’s path to economic recovery.
The bulk of goods and agricultural products move by road, making secure highways central to commerce and food distribution.
Investors likewise factor in road safety and the professionalism of security agencies when planning logistics and siting new ventures.
Cutting down illegal checkpoints could enhance Nigeria’s ranking on business environment indices and bolster job creation.
What Road Users Should Anticipate
If rigorously implemented, the Defence Ministry’s order could lead to fewer checkpoints on major thoroughfares.
Motorists may benefit from reduced stoppages, shorter journeys, and clearer identification of legitimate security posts.
Citizens should, however, still expect well-marked, authorised checkpoints in high-risk zones and near key infrastructure.
Security professionals advise travellers to stay vigilant, minimise night trips where possible, and promptly report suspicious or unmarked checkpoints.
Next Steps: Implementation Will Reveal Government Commitment
The directive signed by Brigadier General A. Rabiu on behalf of Minister Christopher Musa represents a renewed push to regulate military checkpoints across Nigeria.
Earlier attempts to reform roadblocks were hampered by resistance, lax enforcement, and limited public sensitisation.
This latest order will gauge the government’s determination to tackle internal corruption, strengthen command discipline, and safeguard both civilians and troops.
For everyday Nigerians, the ultimate test of success is straightforward: safer travel, fewer illegal checkpoints, and a tangible end to roadside extortion.
