The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticized the proliferation of security checkpoints across Nigeria, stating they have become a major cause of gridlock and economic hardship for citizens. In a statement released on Monday, January 12, 2026, Obi argued that while security is paramount, the current “uncoordinated” approach is counterproductive and hinders the free movement of goods and people.
Obi pointed out that many of these checkpoints have morphed into “extortion centers” rather than effective security measures. He noted that the resulting traffic congestion leads to significant man-hour losses and increases the cost of transportation, which eventually worsens the inflation of food and other essential items. He called on the federal government and security agencies to adopt modern, intelligence-driven policing and utilize technology like surveillance cameras and drones to secure highways without strangling the economy.
The former Governor of Anambra State urged for a complete review of the highway security architecture to prioritize citizen comfort alongside national safety. He suggested that moving toward a more decentralized and technology-integrated security system would be more effective than the current physical roadblocks that dominate major inter-state routes.
