The Ogun State House of Assembly on Tuesday called on the Nigerian Police to immediately reduce 52 police checkpoints stationed along the Idiroko-Owode road, describing the excessive checkpoints as oppressive and detrimental to the socio-economic well-being of residents and commuters in the border communities.

The call followed a motion moved by Bisi Oyedele, fondly called Citiside, representing Ipokia/Idiroko State Constituency, during a plenary session of the assembly presided over by the Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide, on Tuesday.

Oyedele lamented that the proliferation of police checkpoints has subjected residents, motorists and traders to daily extortion, intimidation and unnecessary delays.

The lawmaker observed further that the number of checkpoints along the road between Idiroko and Owode had increased from about 20 to 52 within a few weeks.

Oyedele said, “A trip that should ordinarily last 20 minutes now takes almost two hours due to endless stoppages by security officers who often demand bribes from drivers and traders.

“Transporters are the most affected, paying up to ?1,000 per stop, a situation that has led to losses, protests, and even a temporary local transport strike recently witnessed along the route.

“The proliferation of checkpoints has crippled local businesses, increased transport fares and worsened the prices of goods and essential commodities in Ipokia Local Government and its environs.

“Perishable goods now get damaged in transit due to unnecessary delays, while traders are forced to factor illegal payments into the cost of their wares, making life increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens”.

The lawmaker, however, pointed out that some of the officers mounting the police roadblocks operate under the guise of border patrol, without operating vehicles or clear identification, making it difficult to ascertain their legitimacy.

Oyedele stated that the police units had relocated their operations to Ogun State after facing protests at the Seme Border axis of Lagos State.

He emphasized that the motion was not in opposition to police presence or the need for security, but a call for sanity, fairness and respect for human dignity.

“We cannot continue to watch our people suffer in silence on a road that should serve as a symbol of trade, peace and prosperity. Enough is enough,” the lawmaker said.

While acknowledging that policing falls under the Exclusive Legislative List of the Federal Government, Oyedele stressed that “the Nigerian Constitution, under Section 14(2)(b), clearly defines the primary purpose of government as the security and welfare of the people”, the lawmaker insisted that “the current situation on the Idiroko–Owode Road negates that particular constitutional provision”.

He, however, called for urgent government intervention before the people would resort to self-help.

After extensive deliberation on the motion, which was co-sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Mrs. Ajayi Bolanle Latifat; Lamidi Musefiu Olatunji; Adeleye Lukmon Olalekan; Wahab Haruna Abiodun; Tella Babatunde; Adeyanju Adegoke Olusesi and Owode Waliu Ifedolapo, the House condemned the excessive number and duplication of police checkpoints along the road, describing the conduct of some officers as an abuse of authority.

The House consequently urged the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, to immediately reduce the checkpoints to a reasonable number that would still guarantee security without inflicting hardship on innocent Nigerians.

While calling on Governor Dapo Abiodun to engage the state police command with a view to addressing the matter promptly, the House further resolved that the motion be transmitted as a petition to the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Inspector General of Police, and the National Security Adviser for investigation and necessary action at the Federal level.

The challenge of multiple checkpoints and extortion of motorists across the country, with attendant general outcry, is a common problem in the country.

On July 7, 2025, the Lagos State Government dismantled illegal checkpoints along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway in a bid to improve vehicular movement and enhance road safety.

The state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Layode, on Monday led a coordinated team of top security officials in carrying out the dismantling.

The operation followed a high-level meeting between the commissioner and commanding officers from two Nigerian Army formations, as well as representatives from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and a delegate from the Akran of Badagry.

During the operation, three Customs checkpoints at the Mowo axis were identified as unauthorized and subsequently dismantled, with the cooperation of the Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Enforcement at the Seme Area Command. (The PUNCH)