For more than three decades, soldiers from the Nigerian Armed Forces have routinely operated checkpoints on major highways and rural roads, especially in regions affected by insurgency, banditry and communal violence.
These military roadblocks, deployed in support of civil authorities as permitted under the constitution, have become a defining feature of travel in many parts of the country.
In several states, particularly across the north and central belts, state governments have supplemented these federal efforts by authorising local hunters’ associations and formally recognised vigilante groups to set up and man their own checkpoints.
These community-based units often operate alongside military and police posts, creating a dense network of road security points.
The proliferation of both official and semi-official checkpoints reflects the complex, multi-tiered approach Nigeria has adopted to tackle persistent insecurity, while also raising longstanding concerns about coordination, accountability and the impact on freedom of movement.
