Concrete roads: A game changer for emergency response, security in Nigeria

By Bolaji Oladimeji Kazeem

Nigeria, numerous ungoverned areas have become safe havens for bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists. Despite substantial resources invested in combating insecurity, these criminals exploit inaccessible terrains, forests, and poor infrastructure to perpetuate their activities. One of the major obstacles to effective security operations has been the lack of motorable roads, which slows down the movement of security agencies tasked with protecting lives and property, especially in rural and remote areas.

It is clear that to decisively defeat these criminals, security operatives must physically access their hideouts. However, bad, rough, and untarred roads often delay response times, allowing criminals to carry out heinous acts unchallenged. Many ungoverned spaces in Nigeria lack basic infrastructure such as motorable roads, mobile network coverage, and police presence—conditions that encourage criminal activities to thrive.

Forests across the South and North, which could serve productive purposes, have instead become operational bases for kidnappers, bandits, and foreign mercenaries. Despite commendable efforts by security agencies, their ability to launch swift and sustained operations has been hindered by poor terrain and the absence of accessible routes.

Some Nigerians have called for the use of fighter jets and drones to neutralize these criminals; however, the reality is that dense forests, carpeted trees, hidden tunnels, and rugged mountains require on-ground intervention for effective clearance operations. The criminals, often armed with dangerous weapons including AK-49 rifles, employ guerrilla tactics and scorched-earth strategies to intimidate and terrorize rural communities.

Legacy road projects: A pathway to security and development: Amid these challenges, hope is being rekindled through the legacy road projects initiated by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. These projects promise to open up difficult terrains, connect neglected regions, and facilitate rapid response to emergencies.

Key projects include:

1,068-km Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway (North West to South West)

750-km Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway (spanning South West, South-South, and South East)

477-km Trans-Saharan Highway (Calabar–Ebonyi–Kogi–Benue–Nasarawa–FCT)

422-km Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Expressway (North Central to North East)

According to the Minister of Works, Senator (Engr.) David Umahi, these roads, built with durable concrete, will provide lasting infrastructure that connects rural areas to major urban centers. Although progress may appear slow, the long-term benefits—improved accessibility, reduced transportation costs, and enhanced emergency response—are widely recognized and commended by citizens.

Most importantly, it will improve response time to emergencies in the country and boost the confidence of security agencies in pursuing criminals in their hideouts. It leverages more technology, such as AI-powered cameras for traffic monitoring, IoT sensors and GPS for real-time data collection and navigation, and satellite imagery for hazard detection.

Boosting security infrastructure alongside road development: Roads alone are not enough. The Ministry of Police Affairs, under Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, is complementing these infrastructure efforts with strategic security projects, including:

National Criminal Data Fusion Centre (NCDFC) – 90% complete, designed to enable inter-agency collaboration in analysing and disseminating criminal intelligence.

National Crime and Incident Database Centres (NCIDB) – upgraded and operational, collating biometrics of suspects and witnesses for better case management.

Some Divisional Police Stations are already piloting the collection of criminal biometrics to ensure criminals can no longer commit crimes in one area and evade detection by moving to another.

The role of States, Local Governments: While the Federal Government is delivering on its mandate, state and local governments must also rise to their responsibilities by rehabilitating trunk B and C roads to support the seamless movement of security personnel. States like Lagos, Edo, Kano, and Oyo have set examples by establishing Command and Control Centres for real-time monitoring and enhanced policing.

Furthermore, the concessioned National Public Security Project now provides toll-free emergency lines, modern smart divisional police stations (e.g., Mpape–Abuja, Akaeze–Ebonyi, Ekinrin-Adde–Kogi), and better technological integration to combat kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism effectively.

A new security architecture for Nigeria: The convergence of modern road infrastructure, advanced policing technologies, Command and Control Centres, and national criminal databases heralds a new era of security in Nigeria. Concrete roads will not only connect people, goods, and communities but also ensure that emergencies—whether security-related or humanitarian—are addressed with speed and precision.

With these measures in place, criminals will find fewer places to hide, and Nigerians can look forward to safer, more prosperous communities.