The impact of military checkpoints on commercial drivers: evidence from North-east Nigeria

Abstract

Military checkpoints have become a prominent feature of the security landscape in North-East Nigeria, emerging in response to persistent insurgency activities by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). While intended to enhance security, concerns have been raised regarding their operational, economic, and psychological implications for road users, particularly commercial drivers who play a critical role in regional mobility and economic activity. This study examined the impact of military checkpoints on commercial drivers in North-East Nigeria, focusing on travel time, fuel consumption, income, stress levels, exposure to physical abuse, and perceived safety. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted using primary data collected through an interviewer-administered structured schedule. Of the 288 interstate commercial drivers targeted from major motor parks in Maiduguri, 215 valid responses were obtained. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Spearman rank order correlation. The findings show that military checkpoints significantly increase travel time, fuel consumption, stress levels, and exposure to physical abuse, while reducing drivers’ income. However, checkpoints were also widely perceived to enhance safety by deterring insurgent activities and improving surveillance. The results confirm a significant relationship between checkpoint operations and drivers’ operational, economic, and psychological conditions, highlighting a fundamental security–mobility trade-off. The study concludes that although military checkpoints are essential for security, current practices impose substantial burdens on commercial drivers. It recommends improved accountability, enhanced training, and technology-driven solutions. This study contributes to the theoretical discourse on security–mobility trade-offs by providing empirical evidence from a conflict-affected context, demonstrating how security interventions simultaneously generate protective and disruptive outcomes within transport systems.