The Federal Government is considering reintroducing tollgates equipped with modern surveillance technology as part of efforts to tackle kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities on Nigeria’s highways.
Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, disclosed this while speaking at an event organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and convened by Ismaeel Ahmed, chairman and chief executive of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PiCNG & EV).
The event, titled Promise to Proof: The Renewed Hope Conversation, provided a platform for discussions on the administration’s policies and performance.
Musa said the proposed tollgates would serve a dual purpose of revenue collection and security monitoring, allowing authorities to identify, monitor and track vehicles using modern surveillance systems.
He suggested that Nigeria might have made a mistake by dismantling its former tollgate system, particularly given the growing security threats facing motorists and travellers across the country.
The minister explained that modern tolling technology could identify vehicles through their registration numbers and process payments electronically, eliminating the need for motorists to stop for manual transactions.
He added that the technology could provide security agencies with valuable information to track vehicles potentially linked to criminal activities.
MUSA ADVOCATES STRONGER NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
The defence minister also called for improvements to Nigeria’s national identification system, advocating the integration of personal identification numbers, facial recognition and fingerprint technology.
According to him, a more comprehensive identification framework would help security agencies establish individuals’ identities and track criminal networks more effectively.
He maintained that the use of modern technology was essential to strengthening the country’s overall security architecture.
MILITARY SEEKS GRADUAL WITHDRAWAL FROM INTERNAL SECURITY OPERATIONS
Musa acknowledged that the military’s prolonged involvement in internal security operations had placed considerable pressure on its personnel and resources.
He said the armed forces were working towards gradually transferring responsibilities within the Nigeria Police Force’s mandate back to the police.
The minister explained that the military was supporting the police through training, operational assistance and other capacity-building initiatives to improve their ability to handle internal security challenges.
He added that the government was pursuing additional recruitment and equipment procurement to strengthen the capacity of security agencies.
FG ALLOCATES ₦5.4 TRILLION TO DEFENCE
Musa disclosed that ₦5.4 trillion had been allocated to defence in the 2026 national budget, alongside plans to recruit an additional 12,000 military personnel.
He said the investment would support the acquisition of modern weapons, surveillance equipment and operational platforms to improve intelligence gathering, mobility, firepower and rapid response capabilities.
The minister also reported that security forces had killed more than 300 terrorists and bandits, including over 10 commanders, during operations conducted in the week preceding his presentation.
He attributed the reported progress to improved intelligence gathering, joint military operations and stronger cooperation among security agencies.
POROUS BORDERS REMAIN A MAJOR SECURITY CONCERN
Despite the reported gains, Musa identified Nigeria’s porous borders as a significant obstacle in the fight against insecurity.
He noted that the country’s extensive borders, particularly those adjoining the Niger Republic, provided opportunities for criminal groups and arms traffickers to move across the region.
The minister said Nigeria was strengthening security cooperation with neighbouring countries and other international partners to address cross-border threats.
He also called for greater public participation in tackling insecurity, urging Nigerians to report suspicious activities and provide credible information to security agencies.
