The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has issued an immediate directive for the removal of all non-essential static military roadblocks and checkpoints across the country.
The crucial policy shift is intended to improve national security architecture, alleviate bottlenecks, and ensure the free flow of movement for citizens and commerce nationwide.
The announcement, according to reports, was made by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa. The directive aims to strategically redeploy military personnel, allowing them to refocus their efforts on core security challenges.
“Police officers and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) will take over checkpoint duties from the military, allowing soldiers to focus on confronting terrorists and other security threats in the bush,” the Minister reportedly stated.
This development is widely anticipated to have a two-fold positive impact that will enhance security and also free up soldiers from static duties to engage in more kinetic operations against insurgency, terrorism, and banditry across high-threat areas.
It is expected to significantly reduce the reported instances of motorist harassment and extortion often associated with these military-manned checkpoints, thereby improving civil-military relations and easing travel.
The handover of checkpoint responsibility to the police and NSCDC signifies a return to the conventional roles of the respective security agencies, with the military concentrating on its primary mandate of territorial defense and counter-insurgency operations.
