By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has called for the strategic reinstatement of modernised, tech-driven tollgates across the nation’s major highways, describing them as critical non-kinetic security infrastructure for tracking criminal elements and safeguarding lives and livelihoods.
General Musa made the call while participating as a panellist at the Abuja Round Table, tagged “Promise to Proof: The Renewed Hope Conversation,” in a session focused on “Safe to Farm, Travel and Trade: Protecting Lives and Livelihoods in Every Community.”
This was disclosed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant (Media), Leah Katung-Babatunde.
Revisiting past policy decisions, the Defence Minister said the removal and destruction of tollgates across the country was a strategic mistake. He emphasised that tollgates serve as vital security checkpoints globally and should be re-established under a modernised framework.
“With modern Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and automation, toll collection no longer requires cash transactions,” General Musa stated. “Automated systems can instantly capture vehicle registration numbers, track vehicular movements across interstate corridors, and seamlessly trace or apprehend suspects.”
He noted that while tollgates faced operational abuses in the past, modern technological integrations eliminate those vulnerabilities, positioning automated tolling as a formidable non-kinetic security tool.
Addressing the broader landscape of national security, General Musa highlighted the urgent need for a streamlined, foolproof national identification system.
Drawing comparisons to global best practices, he stressed that integrating unique identification numbers, facial recognition, and biometric data is vital for verifying records and eliminating identity ambiguity.
According to the Minister, establishing a comprehensive and centralised digital identification architecture will effectively close persistent security loopholes and enhance real-time intelligence gathering across the federation.
On military deployment, the Minister clarified that while the constitutional mandate of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is defending the nation’s territorial integrity, the military legitimately steps in to support internal security when challenges exceed police capacity.
However, General Musa expressed deep concern over personnel fatigue resulting from prolonged internal deployments.
“Our troops have spent years deployed across regions such as the Northwest, away from their families and loved ones,” he observed.
He reiterated that active measures are underway to bolster police recruitment, training, and operational capacity. The overarching objective is to build a robust civil policing system that will enable military forces to gradually withdraw, return to barracks, and rest, shifting the national security apparatus from reactive measures to a proactive stance ahead of 2027.
General Musa underscored that Nigeria’s greatest strength lies in its unity, asserting that the country’s primary challenge is not a shortage of resources or firepower, but internal divisions and a lack of mutual cohesion among citizens. He urged Nigerians to move past historical grievances.
“We must begin to view one another simply as human beings and fellow citizens, rather than dividing ourselves along ethnic, regional, or religious lines,” General Musa urged.
The Defence Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to ensuring that every Nigerian can safely farm, travel, and conduct trade across every community in the country.
