Following the renewed wave of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, President Buhari has ordered the return of military checkpoints few weeks after the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Ismail Aliyuannounced that the president ordered the dismantling the roadblocks.
Announcing the return of checkpoints, the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, said “snap checkpoints” are being put into place.
He said: What we have in those areas are not permanent checkpoints without a time line but a snap one based on the prevailing security situation.
“The directive was that those checkpoints that were not necessary should be removed forthwith and that was complied with. However, the language is that the COAS should use his discretion to remove all those checkpoints that are not necessary but that those in the North-east and South-south, for obvious security reasons should not be removed.
“The COAS has gone further to direct all the General Commanding Officers (GOCs) and other Commanders to discuss with the respective state governments where they are involved in internal security operations on how to apply this.
“This is because whenever there is serious security threats there can be snap re-establishment of the checkpoints.”
