Former presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised alarm over worsening traffic gridlock across major highways in Nigeria, blaming the situation largely on poorly positioned security checkpoints and warning that the practice is endangering lives rather than protecting them.
In a statement titled “Security Checkpoints and the Traffic Gridlock Dilemma,” Obi said issues often dismissed as minor have serious consequences for citizens and directly affect their daily lives.
“Some may dismiss certain areas of my commentary as trivial, but I firmly assert that every detail has profound implications for our society; they significantly influence people’s daily lives,” he stated.
Obi said his concerns were informed by personal experiences during the recent festive season, when he travelled across several major roads nationwide and encountered severe traffic congestion.
“This festive season, I traversed several major roads across the country and encountered appalling levels of traffic congestion,” he said. “At times, the gridlock was so extreme that travellers bound for distant destinations were forced to abandon their journeys, wasting hours trying to escape the chaos.”
According to him, a closer assessment showed that ill-placed security checkpoints were the dominant cause of the gridlock, particularly those located at narrow points or close to road construction zones.
“A closer inspection reveals that the primary contributor to this congestion is the ill-placed security checkpoints,” Obi said. “Positioning these checkpoints at narrow points or near construction zones is nothing short of irresponsible, as it brings traffic to a complete standstill.”
He noted that similar situations were being reported on many highways across the country, describing the development as unacceptable.
While acknowledging the sacrifices and responsibilities of security personnel, Obi urged security agencies to exercise discretion and flexibility, especially during peak travel periods.
“While I respect and recognise the sacrifices made by our security agencies, they must adopt greater discretion and flexibility during peak travel times,” he said. “People are returning to work, facing long distances, and contending with poor road conditions.”
Obi warned that prolonged and unnecessary delays were leaving motorists exhausted, increasing the likelihood of road accidents.
“These unnecessary delays leave drivers exhausted, raising the risk of accidents as they struggle to stay alert behind the wheel,” he said. “There is absolutely no justification for subjecting travellers to such avoidable setbacks.”
He stressed that the core objective of security measures should be the preservation of life, not actions that expose citizens to greater danger.
“The purpose of security is to protect lives, not endanger them,” Obi said. “Extended delays force those who set out early to find themselves on the road well after dark, putting them at even greater risk in a time marked by rising insecurity.”
According to him, such outcomes defeat the very essence of establishing security checkpoints.
Calling for urgent reforms, Obi advocated a more strategic and coordinated approach to checkpoint operations nationwide.
“A more strategic approach is not just advisable—it’s essential,” he said. “Checkpoints must be strategically located away from narrow roads and construction zones, inspections need to be expedited during heavy traffic, and agencies must coordinate effectively to eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks.”
He added that such measures would enhance road safety without undermining security operations.
“This will not only improve traffic flow without compromising security but also ensure our roads are safer and more humane for all,” Obi said.
