The Defence Headquarters has ordered the immediate dismantling of all non-essential static roadblocks and unauthorised checkpoints across major highways in the country, citing growing concerns over operational inefficiency and security risks.

The directive, contained in a memo dated December 5 and signed by Brigadier General A. Rabiu on behalf of the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, warned that the proliferation of unapproved checkpoints was disrupting movement and exposing personnel to avoidable dangers.

According to the statement, “Headquarters has observed a growing proliferation of non-essential static roadblocks and checkpoints along several routes within the JOA (Joint Operations Area).”

It further noted that while securing roadways remains crucial, the unchecked spread of fixed posts has begun to “undermine operational efficiency and disrupt freedom of movement for both security forces and civilians.”

The communication added that troops manning these checkpoints were being placed at unnecessary risk, especially along high-traffic corridors such as:

Abuja–Lokoja–Ajaokuta–Idah–Otukpa–Obollo Afor–Enugu;

Abuja–Lokoja–Obajana–Kabba–Omuo–Ekiti–Ikole Ekiti;

Abuja–Lokoja–Okene–Okpella–Auchi–Benin;

Abuja–Kaduna–Kano; and

Lagos–Ore–Benin–Asaba–Niger Bridge.

The statement said, “In view of the foregoing, I am directed to respectfully convey that the services Headquarters hereby instructs all TCS/FCs to ensure the immediate dismantling of the non-essential static roadblocks and unauthorized checkpoints within their respective JOA.”

Commanders have been directed to ensure compliance only with control points deemed operationally essential.

Instead of stationary deployments, the military will now rely on “aggressive mobile patrols and human intelligence gathering” to dominate strategic routes.

The statement emphasized the importance of maintaining only checkpoints approved for specific operational or security purposes.

“Commanders are further to ensure strict compliance with the approved control point locations and maintain only those essential for operational, security purposes and dominate the expanses of routes with aggressive mobile patrols and human intelligence gathering,” the statement said.

Nigeria and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday signed a new security cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening collaboration in military operations, training, intelligence sharing, and joint activities.

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, signed on behalf of Nigeria, while Dr. Khaled H. Al-Biyari represented Saudi Arabia.

Matawalle described the agreement as “an important step that will further enhance security operations in Nigeria.”

The pact comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with student abductions, bandit attacks, and threats posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North.

The agreement will run for five years before review, and either country may withdraw after giving a three-month notice.

Security experts, including Dr. Riyauddeen Zubairu Maitama, say the partnership could significantly boost counterterrorism efforts, stating that Saudi Arabia is among the countries making major contributions in that field”.

President Bola Tinubu has set up a high-level committee to resolve the issues around the federal government debt of about ₦4 trillion owed to federal contractors.

This is as the President declared that he is not happy about the situation.

The position of President Tinubu was made known on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, while addressing newsmen after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.

According to Onanuga, the DG (Director-General) of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, told the President that about 2000 contractors are being owed money, and this made the President very, very upset.

To this end, Tinubu set up a committee to look into the situation and proffer a solution.

“He made it very, very clear he is not happy and wants a one-stop solution.

“An important highlight in the course of the FEC meeting is that the President expressed very, very grave displeasure about the fact that contractors are being owed money.

“The DG (Director-General) of the Bureau of Public Procurement actually told the President that about 2000 contractors are being owed money and this made the President very, very upset.

“So the ministers are going to look into the problem to really find a solution, to find the money to be used in paying the contractors,” Onanuga said.

Naija News understands that the members of the committee are the Ministers of Finance (and Coordinating Minister of the Economy), Wale Edun; Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Works, Dave Umahi; Education, Olatunji Alausa; Housing, Ahmed Dangiwa; and Marine & Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, along with the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Kurfi; and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji.

“All of them are supposed to sit down, develop a plan as a committee, meet as a committee, and then go to the president to tell him the solution they have found in allocating funds to pay contractors,” Onanuga added.

Onanuga added that following the briefing to the council by the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, President Tinubu directed the committee to look into the problem and recommend how the debts can be settled.

“The mandate is to find the money and fix the problem of paying contractors.

“We need to look at problems. What has been causing this problem? Why have we had the FIRS (Federal Inland Revenue Services) saying we are getting more money and so on, yet we are owing contractors? What could be the cause of this thing?

“That’s why he set up a multi ministerial committee to look at the problem. He even said that, as a sovereign country, we can go and borrow to pay those contractors. But I think by the time those on the committee meet him today (Wednesday), I think we will find a solution,” he explained.

It would be recalled that contractors under the aegis of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) started a non-stop protest at the ministry last Tuesday over debts being owed by the Federal Government.

They accused the federal government of attempting to push them out of business.