The National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki, has dismissed speculation that the military was ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari to dismantle all roadblocks nationwide, saying some roadblocks will be maintained in places where they are needed.

Dasuki, who spoke after a meeting with security chiefs, appealed to Nigerians to endure the “necessary inconvenience” caused by the checkpoints.

“We will continue to ensure that the necessary or essential security checkpoints are not avenues for extortion, indiscipline and other forms of corrupt practices that can exacerbate traffic flow and cause road accidents,” Dasuki said.

The NSA said checkpoints help prevent easy passage by criminals, citing the recent arrest of the mastermind of the Jos and Zaria bomb blast as proof.

However, he assured that government is deploying technology for easy detection of objects in order to ease the problem of holdups on the roads.

“With effective use of technology which minimises physical contacts between security personnel and citizens, the time spent at designated security checkpoints will ultimately be reduced,” Dasuki said, adding that measures are being put in place to checkmate proliferation of checkpoints by unauthorised bodies.