Security Check points: Experts divided over Buhari’s order

Security experts have expressed divergent views over President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive which he ordered dismantling of all security check points nationwide.

While some described the order as a welcome development, others argued that the dismantled road blocks would expose the country to intra- state crime and terrorism especially in the North-East of the country currently ravaged by insurgency.

Speaking with National Pilot, a retired police officer Alhaji Ali Ndako commended Buhari for taking such a bold step as it shows all government agencies will now be held accountable in its discharge of its responsibilities.

He, however, enjoined the Federal Government to equip with modern policing gadgets and motivate the Nigerian Police Force to be able to perform optimally.

“The order is a welcome development. Internal security is the sole responsibility of the police, the military can only be invited during war and it ought to be on ad-hoc basis. I strongly believe the Nigerian Police force is up to the task of maintaining internal security, all they need is motivation and modern policing gadgets.

“Road block is not even supposed to be permanent; you only set up roadblocks when you receive information and you want cordon off the entrance and exit point within the geographical area and after the crime is busted the road block is dismantled.

“I also want to advise the authorities of the Nigerian Police Force to use this opportunity and prove doubters wrong. I know they are able and capable of securing lives and properties, while the military face its primary calling of guiding the territorial integrity of the Nation,” he added.

Speaking in the same vein, the former Special Adviser to the Kwara state government, who is also a retired Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Bello Amusa commended the president for taking such a bold step.

He advised the police command to recall all its personnel guiding VIPs and face squarely its primary responsibility of maintaining internal law and order.

“It is a welcome development; this order will help restore the dignity of the police force. Internal security is basically the primary responsibility of the police force, military personnel has no business on the street.

“Road blocks in this part of the world have been bastardised. 21th century policing has gone beyond road blocks, vehicular patrol and intelligence gathering is a more proactive and efficient way of policing. Let the government tackle the rot in the Nigerian police force from recruitment, training and retraining and provision of modern policing gadgets.

But, a retired Major, Ali Babatunde, however, chastised the president for taking the decision which, he said, would affect the current momentum the military is enjoying over the insurgence.

He said though Nigerians were of the alleged highhandedness of some military personnel and the traffic logjam witnessed at check points, saying these are necessary sacrifice the country must endure if it must win the war against insurgency in the country.

“With due respect, President Buhari was ill advised, as the order was ill-timed and not in the best interest of the country; the momentum being enjoyed will be disrupted and it may affect the ongoing war against insurgency.

“The major problem of we Nigerians is that we are quick at chastising the military for not being proactive in insurgency prevention, now they have devised a means of curbing them, we are still complaining of its inconveniences,” he said.

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