Counter-terrorism expert Olatunbosun Abolarinwa has raised concerns over what he described as weak surveillance and inadequate monitoring of suspicious movements along Nigeria’s major highways, warning that such gaps in road security may be aiding the operations and logistics of bandits and terrorist groups operating across different parts of the country.
He made the remarks during an interview on TVC News on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, where he discussed strategies for curbing the movement of criminal networks and improving national security architecture. Abolarinwa questioned the effectiveness of current checkpoint procedures, particularly along key transport corridors linking the northern and central regions of Nigeria, arguing that existing measures may not be sufficient to detect and disrupt illicit activities.
According to him, one major concern is the frequent transportation of large numbers of motorcycles on trailers along these highways, often without what he considers adequate inspection or verification by security operatives stationed along the routes. He stressed that security checks should go beyond surface-level vehicle inspection to include proper scrutiny of individuals involved in transporting such items, as well as the intended purpose and destination of the cargo.
“If you travel from Gwangwalada to Lokoja, you will see many trailers carrying large numbers of heavy alloy-wheel motorcycles. Is anybody checking those people to know who they are?” Abolarinwa asked.
He argued that motorcycles have become one of the most important operational tools for bandit and terrorist groups due to their ability to navigate difficult terrain, including forests, rural paths, and areas inaccessible to conventional vehicles. Their speed and flexibility, he noted, make them particularly useful for quick attacks, movement between hideouts, and evasion of security forces.
Abolarinwa therefore emphasized that strengthening highway surveillance, improving intelligence-based screening, and enforcing stricter verification protocols at checkpoints could significantly reduce the ability of criminal groups to move equipment and coordinate operations freely. He maintained that a more proactive and intelligence-driven approach to road security is essential in disrupting the logistical networks that support armed criminal activities.
