Former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has called for humane approach to the location of security checkpoints on Nigeria roads.
Obi in a statement on X on Sunday, warned that ill-placed checkpoints could endanger lives and cause unnecessary delay to travellers.
The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party who said he encountered several of such checkpoints on major roads across the country during the festive season, noted that some of them are located at narrow points or near construction zones.
This, according to him, “is nothing short of irresponsible, as it brings traffic to a complete standstill.”
Obi added that the gridlock, at times, was so extreme that travellers bound for distant destinations were forced to abandon their journeys, thereby wasting hours the were trying to escape.
“A closer inspection reveals that the primary contributor to this congestion is the ill-placed security checkpoints,” he added.
Obi stated that while he respects and recognises the sacrifices made by security agencies, advised them to adopt greater discretion and flexibility during peak travel times.
“People are returning to work, facing long distances, and contending with poor road conditions.
“These unnecessary delays leave drivers exhausted, raising the risk of accidents as they struggle to stay alert behind the wheel.
“There is absolutely no justification for subjecting travellers to such avoidable setbacks,” he said.
Obi said the purpose of security is to protect lives, not endanger them, adding that extended delays could force those who set out early to find themselves on the road well after dark, thereby putting them at even greater risk in a time marked by rising insecurity.
“This contradicts the very objective of establishing security checkpoints,” he said
He advised for “a more strategic approach,” adding that checkpoints must be strategically located away from narrow roads and construction zones.
Obi further called for regular inspections, for effective coordination and to eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks.
“This will not only improve traffic flow without compromising security but also ensure our roads are safer and more humane for all,” he added.
