Commuters and motorists in Borno and Yobe States have been thrown into the agony of incessant traffic jams and long trekking as checkpoints resurface in the two states.

The resumption of security checks by the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) on highways in the states have subjected many travellers and other commuters to trekking for approximately two kilometres before boarding vehicles to proceed to their destinations.

Most of the travellers, including children, people with disabilities (PWDs) and the elderly, could not withstand the rigorous walk to reboard vehicles at each of the security checkpoints.

While assessing the security measures along the Maiduguri-Kano Expressway yesterday at the Damaturu tollgate, the vulnerable travellers were subjected to walk before proceeding to their respective destinations.

Asmawu Mohammed, a mother of four, had to back a child and shoulder two others, while the eldest child managed to trek to the awaiting vehicle, about two kilometres away from the military/police checkpoint.

Despite the soldiers’ insistence on the commuters walking, an elderly person, identified as IshakuYahya, commended the security measures, but urged the military and police to adopt a civil-oriented approach in reducing the rigours of trekking in the hot sun.

Yahya continued, “Some of us had been fasting for the last 28 days and are travelling to Maiduguri and Damaturu,” said Yahya, adding that the civil approach could respect commuters’ and motorists’ health, rights and wellbeing.

Relatedly, the Yobe State Police Command has issued a security alert ahead of the Sallah festivities, following the recent bomb explosions in Maiduguri.

In a statement released on Tuesday by its spokesperson, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, the command expressed sympathy with the government and people of Borno over the March 16, 2026 incidents at four locations within Maiduguri.

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Emmanuel Ado, directed Area Commanders (ACs), Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Tactical Units (TUs) and Intelligence Departments (IDs) to ensure robust security coverage at worship centres, recreational facilities, public parks and other strategic locations.

Fadmatu Audu, a traveller, said the security measures would further compound challenges of commuters in the North-East, while urging the government to assess the decision by prioritising citizens’ health and wellbeing while travelling along the roads.

A 79-year-old traveller (name withheld) from Kano stated: “I had a fracture on one of my two legs, and despite fasting and the long distance to be covered, I had to trek about two kilometres.

In the modern age of travelling in the country, there should be better alternatives, even if it means scanning vehicles and asking everyone to come down and scan or check them.

“The long walk at the checkpoints has continued to further compound the challenges commuters are facing in the Northeast. I even pleaded with the soldiers. The officer on duty only responded that he was complying with the orders of his boss.”

Beyond the long trek, the senior citizen said: “Apart from me, you would observe that women are backing their babies and sweating under the hot sun, while attempting to cross and reboard the bus travelling to Maiduguri for Thursday’s Sallah.”

She also expressed fear that the trekking travellers were also exposed to risk, stating that terrorists might take advantage of the situation to attack both the soldiers and commuters at the checkpoints. (The Guardian)

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