ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria's Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has advocated the reintroduction of tollgates on major highways, arguing that modern technology could transform the facilities into strategic security checkpoints capable of monitoring vehicle movements and assisting law enforcement agencies in combating crime.

Musa made the recommendation during an Abuja roundtable titled “Promise to Proof: The Renewed Hope Conversation,” organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Progressive Strategy Roundtable and convened by Ismaeel Ahmed, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PICNG and EVs.

Responding to concerns about insecurity on Nigerian highways and a proposal that motorists could contribute to security funding through tollgate levies, the minister described the restoration of tollgates as a worthwhile initiative.

He suggested that dismantling the facilities might have been a mistake, particularly given the opportunities modern surveillance systems now offer for crime prevention and intelligence gathering.

According to Musa, advanced electronic tolling systems used in several countries can automatically identify vehicles through registration numbers and process payments without requiring motorists to stop at physical checkpoints.

He explained that similar technology could support Nigerian security agencies in tracking suspicious vehicles, identifying potential criminal movements and improving the effectiveness of highway surveillance.

The minister also advocated strengthening Nigeria's national identification infrastructure through personal identification numbers, facial recognition and biometric data, including fingerprints.

He maintained that reliable identification systems would make it easier for security agencies to establish individuals' identities, investigate criminal activities and improve intelligence-led operations.

The proposal comes amid continuing concerns about kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry and attacks on travellers along several Nigerian highways.

Musa argued that technological investment, improved intelligence sharing and closer cooperation among security institutions were essential to addressing the country's security challenges.

Beyond the proposed tollgates, the minister provided updates on military operations, defence expenditure, personnel welfare and ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria's security architecture.

He disclosed that the Federal Government allocated approximately ₦5.4 trillion to defence in the 2026 budget and was recruiting an additional 12,000 military personnel to expand operational capacity.

According to him, the government is investing in modern weapons, surveillance equipment, intelligence systems and military platforms intended to improve mobility, firepower and rapid response capabilities.

Musa further claimed that security forces had killed more than 300 terrorists and bandits, including over 10 commanders, during operations conducted in the preceding week.

He attributed the reported operational successes to improved intelligence gathering, joint military operations and stronger coordination among security agencies.

The minister identified Nigeria's extensive and porous borders as a major obstacle to national security, particularly because criminal networks and illicit weapons can move across neighbouring territories.

He said the Federal Government was strengthening border monitoring and expanding bilateral, regional and international security cooperation through intelligence sharing, specialised training and technological support.

Musa also emphasised the importance of maintaining defence relationships with Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali despite their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

He warned that instability across the Sahel posed significant risks to West Africa, stressing that regional cooperation remained necessary to prevent the spread of terrorism and organised crime.

The defence minister also highlighted efforts to expand domestic military equipment production and reduce Nigeria's dependence on foreign suppliers.

He disclosed that Nigeria had recently hosted the first African International Military Defence Exhibition, attracting representatives from 63 countries and creating opportunities for partnerships between local defence manufacturers and international investors.

According to him, strengthening the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria and encouraging domestic innovation could create employment opportunities, support economic development and improve national security.

He encouraged Nigerians with expertise in cybersecurity, drone technology and defence manufacturing to engage with relevant institutions and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Addressing the increasing deployment of soldiers for internal security duties, Musa acknowledged that military personnel had become overstretched by prolonged operations across the country.

He explained that the armed forces were frequently required to intervene in situations where security threats exceeded the operational capacity of the police.

However, he stressed that efforts were underway to strengthen police institutions through additional recruitment, equipment procurement and operational reforms, allowing soldiers to gradually return to their primary defence responsibilities.

The minister described the current level of cooperation among security agencies as a significant improvement, noting that intelligence sharing and coordinated operations were helping to address threats more effectively.

He also urged Nigerians to play a greater role in maintaining national security by providing timely information about suspicious activities within their communities.

According to Musa, criminal networks often operate with the knowledge or assistance of individuals within local communities, making public cooperation essential to successful security operations.

He cited community-based intelligence, civilian joint task forces and partnerships with forest rangers as important components of efforts to protect vulnerable communities and restore agricultural activities in areas affected by insecurity.

The minister stressed that protecting citizens who provide intelligence was equally important, acknowledging concerns about the possibility of informants facing intimidation or retaliation.

He disclosed that the Defence Ministry and military service headquarters were considering an emergency reporting line to make it easier for citizens to communicate security information.

Musa also provided details of improvements to military personnel welfare, including salaries, medical care, accommodation and support for soldiers' families.

He said the monthly earnings of a private soldier had increased from approximately ₦49,000 to about ₦100,000 and subsequently to nearly ₦200,000.

According to him, military personnel and their families are entitled to medical treatment, while those requiring specialised care may be referred abroad.

The minister also highlighted psychological support for soldiers returning from operational deployments, explaining that personnel undergo assessments and counselling to address trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and other behavioural challenges.

He said returning soldiers could receive two to three weeks of post-deployment assessment and support before rejoining their families or regular duties.

Musa added that the government provides assistance to the families of fallen military personnel, including financial entitlements, medical support and educational opportunities for their children.

He maintained that improving the welfare of serving personnel and their dependants was essential to sustaining morale and operational effectiveness.

Also speaking at the roundtable, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Alhaji Mohamed Shaidou, disclosed that the Federal Government had approved approximately ₦100 billion for the rehabilitation of police training institutions across the country.

Shaidou said years of inadequate funding had weakened police training, infrastructure and operational capacity, making sustained investment necessary to improve internal security.

He explained that the Trust Fund was supporting the procurement of operational vehicles, protective equipment, training facilities and other resources required by police officers.

The agency, he said, was also pursuing partnerships with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) and Family Homes Funds to improve the welfare of police personnel and their families.

Under a proposed housing programme, the Trust Fund is working towards providing 1,000 housing units per state for police officers, with a groundbreaking ceremony already conducted for approximately 250 units in Nasarawa State.

Shaidou also disclosed that some smart police stations had been equipped with off-grid solar electricity systems to ensure uninterrupted operations.

On transportation, he said the Trust Fund had introduced welfare buses to convey officers from communities around Abuja, including Mararaba and Zuba, to their duty posts.

He explained that the initiative was intended to reduce transportation expenses for officers, adding that compressed natural gas-powered buses were being considered to improve long-term affordability.

The Trust Fund is also exploring agricultural opportunities for police families through a partnership with NALDA, with preliminary discussions held with the governments of Kano and Niger states.

On the proposed establishment of state police, Shaidou expressed support for the initiative but emphasised that Nigeria must also strengthen its existing federal police structure.

He argued that a decentralised policing system would require adequate funding, professional training and effective coordination between federal and state security institutions.

Participants at the roundtable also called for stronger collaboration between security agencies and private-sector organisations, particularly in providing reliable electricity for local defence manufacturing.

Musa welcomed the proposal, acknowledging that inconsistent electricity supply remained a challenge for domestic manufacturers.

He also urged Nigerians to rise above religious, ethnic and regional divisions in confronting the country's security challenges.

The minister maintained that meaningful progress against insecurity should ultimately be measured by improvements in everyday life, particularly when farmers can safely return to their fields, travellers can move freely along highways, markets can reopen and businesses can operate without fear.

Although no implementation timetable has been announced for the proposed restoration of tollgates, Musa's recommendation has brought renewed attention to the potential role of surveillance technology, vehicle identification and coordinated intelligence gathering in protecting Nigeria's highways.

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