Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised a fresh alarm over the worsening traffic congestion on Nigeria’s highways, blaming poorly positioned security checkpoints for “irresponsible” gridlock that endangers travellers.
In a statement posted on his X page on Monday, Obi shared his personal experiences traversing major roads during the recent festive season.
He described scenes of appalling congestion where travellers, exhausted and frustrated, were frequently forced to abandon their journeys after spending hours trapped in stationary traffic.
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The former governor of Anambra State identified the primary culprit as the “ill-placed” positioning of security checkpoints, particularly at bottlenecks and construction sites.
He argued that such placement is counterproductive and defeats the very purpose of security.
“Positioning these checkpoints at narrow points or near construction zones is nothing short of irresponsible, as it brings traffic to a complete standstill,” Obi noted. “The purpose of security is to protect lives, not endanger them.”
The safety risks identified include driver fatigue, as long hours spent in traffic leave drivers exhausted and significantly increase the likelihood of accidents.
Travellers are also made vulnerable to crime, since extended delays often force them to remain on the road well after dark, at a time when national insecurity is rising.
Additionally, there is considerable economic waste, with thousands of productive man-hours lost daily as citizens struggle to return to work.
While acknowledging the sacrifices of security personnel, he insisted that agencies must adopt greater “discretion and flexibility” during peak travel periods.
He noted that every detail of public policy, no matter how small it may seem to some, has profound implications for the daily lives of Nigerians.
To address the crisis, Obi proposed a more strategic and coordinated approach to highway security. He suggested relocating all checkpoints away from narrow road sections and active construction zones.
He also recommended that security agencies prioritise the fast-tracking of vehicle inspections during periods of heavy traffic.
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Furthermore, he called for improved inter-agency coordination to eliminate overlapping checkpoints by different security arms, which often create unnecessary bottlenecks.
“A more strategic approach is not just advisable—it’s essential,” Obi stated, reiterating his mantra that a new Nigeria is possible when safety and human dignity become administrative priorities.
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