The Defence Headquarters has ordered the immediate dismantling of all non-essential roadblocks and unauthorised checkpoints across major highways in the country, citing growing concerns over operational inefficiency, disruption of movement, and heightened security risks.
The directive was issued in a memo dated December 5 and signed by Brigadier General A. Rabiu on behalf of the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa. The memo warned that the increasing spread of unapproved checkpoints within the Joint Operations Area (JOA) was exposing troops to avoidable danger while obstructing civilian and security movement.
“Headquarters has observed a growing proliferation of non-essential static roadblocks and checkpoints along several routes within the JOA,” the memo stated.
It added that while securing highways remains important, the indiscriminate establishment of fixed posts now threatens to “undermine operational efficiency and disrupt freedom of movement for both security forces and civilians.”
High-traffic corridors where troops were said to be at increased risk include:
- Abuja–Lokoja–Ajaokuta–Idah–Otukpa–Obollo Afor–Enugu
- Abuja–Lokoja–Obajana–Kabba–Omuo–Ekiti–Ikole Ekiti
- Abuja–Lokoja–Okene–Okpella–Auchi–Benin
- Abuja–Kaduna–Kano
- Lagos–Ore–Benin–Asaba–Niger Bridge
In response, service headquarters have ordered all Theatre Commanders and Field Commanders to immediately dismantle non-essential and unauthorised checkpoints within their jurisdictions.
Rather than static deployments, the military will now rely on “aggressive mobile patrols and human intelligence gathering” to secure strategic routes and maintain operational advantage.
Commanders were further instructed to retain only checkpoints explicitly approved for specific operational or security purposes.
“Commanders are to ensure strict compliance with the approved control point locations and maintain only those essential for operational or security purposes,” the memo emphasized.