Nigerian Military restores checkpoints across the country

The military has begun the re-establishment of some military checkpoints across the country in line with the recent clarifications by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), that President Muhammadu Buhari never ordered the dismantling of all the roadblocks.

Some of the checkpoints, which were dismantled following the initial Presidential directives, have since been restored in parts of the country.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, who confirmed the development further clarified that what he described as a "snap checkpoints", is on the need basis.

"What we have in those areas are not permanent checkpoints without a time line but a snap one based on the prevailing security situation," Usman said.

He noted that the previous directive was never a blanket dismantling of all the military checkpoints across the country but should be at the discretion of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

He said: "The directive was that those checkpoints that were not necessary should be removed forthwith and that was complied with. However, the language is that the COAS should use his discretion to remove all those checkpoints that are not necessary but that those in the North-east and South-south, for obvious security reasons should not be removed".

Even at that, Usman added: “The COAS has gone further to direct all the General Commanding Officers (GOCs) and other Commanders to discuss with the respective state governments where they are involved in internal security operations on how to apply this. "This is because whenever there is serious security threats there can be snap re-establishment of the checkpoints", he explained.

Credit Senator Iroegbu/ThisDay