By Charles Pemu 
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has issued a directive for the immediate dismantling of all non-essential static roadblocks and unauthorized checkpoints across key national highways, citing concerns over operational inefficiency and unnecessary risk exposure.
The internal communication, dated December 5 and signed by Brigadier General A. Rabiu “for CDS,” warned that the Headquarters has observed a “growing proliferation of non-essential static roadblocks and checkpoints along several routes within the Joint Operational Area (JOA).”
According to the document, while road security operations are vital amid growing national insecurity, the increasing number of unapproved checkpoints has begun to “undermine operational efficiency and disrupt freedom of movement for both security forces, civilian and expose troops to unnecessary risks.”
The directive specifically identified major arteries where the proliferation is severe, including:
- 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
The DHQ instructed all Tactical Commanders and Formation Commanders (TCS/FCs) to ensure the immediate removal of these non-essential static posts within their respective JOAs.
Commanders were further directed to strictly comply with only approved control point locations and replace unnecessary static presence with enhanced mobility and intelligence-driven operations. The statement emphasized the need to “dominate the expanse of routes with aggressive mobile patrols and human intelligence gathering,” signaling a strategic shift in securing the nation’s major transit routes.