Highway insecurity: Allegations of extortion, slow security response, and growing safety concerns

Motorists and transport operators across Nigeria have continued to raise concerns over what they describe as worsening insecurity on major highways, citing experiences that include extortion, delayed emergency response, road accidents, and occasional kidnapping threats along isolated routes.

Travellers on key interstate corridors linking cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and northern commercial routes say highway movement has become increasingly unpredictable, with journeys often marked by fear, delays, and rising transport costs.

A recurring allegation among road users is that some unofficial checkpoints and, in certain cases, security personnel are involved in extortion, with motorists claiming they are sometimes asked to make informal payments before assistance is rendered or incidents are addressed. These claims, however, vary by location and have not been independently verified in this report.

Some drivers also allege that responses from security operatives during breakdowns, accidents, or distress calls can be slow unless “facilitation” is provided, a situation they say worsens vulnerability on remote stretches of highways.

Transport operators, including commercial bus drivers and truckers, say these challenges are compounded by poor road conditions, fuel costs, and limited surveillance on long-distance routes, making night travel particularly risky.

In addition to extortion-related complaints, motorists continue to report concerns about road safety, including reckless driving, fatigue-related crashes, and weak emergency response infrastructure on major highways.

The Nigeria Police Force has repeatedly stated that it remains committed to professionalism and accountability, and has in several instances warned officers against misconduct, extortion, and abuse of office. The force also maintains that disciplinary action is taken against personnel found guilty of unethical behaviour.

Despite these assurances, public confidence among some road users remains strained, with many calling for stronger supervision of highway patrol units, improved emergency response systems, and better monitoring of checkpoints to reduce opportunities for abuse.

Security analysts note that Nigeria’s highway challenges are complex, involving both criminal threats such as armed robbery and kidnapping, as well as structural issues including infrastructure deficits, limited patrol coverage, and communication gaps between emergency response agencies.

The Federal Road Safety Corps continues to emphasize driver discipline, speed regulation, and roadworthiness as key factors in reducing highway accidents, while also advocating for safer travel practices such as avoiding night journeys on high-risk routes.

As interstate travel remains central to Nigeria’s economy, stakeholders say addressing highway insecurity will require coordinated reforms, improved accountability within security agencies, and sustained investment in road safety infrastructure and surveillance systems.