In preparation for President Bola Tinubu’s official visit to Anambra State on Thursday, May 8, 2025, security operatives, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army, have begun dismantling numerous checkpoints across the state. This move has sparked discussions among residents and observers, raising questions about the purpose and timing of these actions.
President Tinubu’s visit, announced by Governor Chukwuma Soludo during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration, is set to include the commissioning of several projects executed by the state government. To ensure a seamless and secure visit, security chiefs in Anambra convened a five-hour closed-door meeting on Monday, May 5, to strategize and harmonize security arrangements. The meeting included representatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Air Vice Marshal Ben Chiobi (Rtd.). The focus was on joint operational deployment, coordinated patrols, and surveillance strategies to guarantee the safety of the President, dignitaries, and citizens.
The dismantling of checkpoints, particularly along routes the President is expected to take, has been noted by residents. A post on X by user @nonyeagudozie expressed surprise at the absence of police, military, and navy checkpoints, questioning why they were present in the first place and suggesting they may have been used for extortion. This sentiment reflects a broader concern among some Nigerians about the purpose of ubiquitous checkpoints, which are often criticized for causing delays and facilitating unofficial tolls.
The removal of these checkpoints aligns with the state government’s efforts to ensure smooth traffic flow and a hospitable environment for the President’s visit. The Anambra State Government has also announced slight adjustments to traffic and commuter schedules, urging residents to cooperate with security agencies. This move could be seen as a response to longstanding calls from regional leaders, such as those from the South-East, who in January 2025 appealed to President Tinubu to dismantle checkpoints to reduce economic burdens like high transport costs and delays in goods movement.
While the temporary removal of checkpoints may facilitate the President’s visit, it also highlights deeper issues about security practices in Nigeria. Checkpoints are often justified as necessary for combating insecurity, yet their proliferation can burden citizens and raise questions about their effectiveness. The timing of their dismantling suggests a prioritization of optics and convenience for high-profile events, prompting calls for a more permanent reassessment of checkpoint policies to balance security needs with public convenience.
As Anambra prepares to welcome President Tinubu, the absence of checkpoints may create a more open and welcoming atmosphere, but it also underscores the need for sustainable security reforms that address both safety and economic concerns for residents.
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The decision to remove checkpoints ahead of President Tinubu’s visit has sparked mixed reactions among residents. While some see it as a necessary step to ensure a smooth visit, others question the timing and motives behind the move. The closed-door meeting of security chiefs highlights the importance of safeguarding such high-profile events. It is commendable that the state government is prioritizing security and traffic management for this occasion. However, will the checkpoints be reinstated after the visit, or is this the start of a permanent change?