Checkpoints in Nigeria: Security or Cash Collection?

Checkpoints have become a significant aspect of Nigeria's security culture, particularly since the rise of Boko Haram in the late 2000s. They are intended for various purposes, including crime detection, traffic safety enforcement, and border security, and are operated by authorized personnel such as police officers and customs operatives.

However, illegal checkpoints, often set up by organizations like the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), have emerged as cash collection hubs, exacerbating the financial burden on commercial transporters and contributing to high market prices. The article notes that despite orders from successive Inspectors-General of Police to shut down illegal checkpoints, many continue to operate, undermining public safety.

The current state of crime in Nigeria is alarming, with over 82,195 inmates in custodial facilities, a significant portion of whom are in pre-trial detention, highlighting the growing criminal population and the ineffectiveness of existing security measures.