Security Actors, Agency Politics and Economic Implications of Multiple Security Checkpoints Along Nigeria-Benin Borders

Emanating from the borders between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin in the regional security complex of West Africa there are criminal activities that pose serious implications for the Nigerian state. The persistence of transnational organised crimes on this corridor despite the presence of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and other specialised security agencies established by Nigeria to completely eradicate or minimise cross-border crimes makes the study of agency politics of multiple checkpoints in the Nigeria-Benin border communities imperative. The study, utilising agency theory adopts a qualitative research design with the aid of primary and secondary source of data to examine the multiplicity of security actors (and their checkpoints); and investigate the rationale for and impact of multiple checkpoints for border security. The study argues that the multiplicity of security actors and checkpoints intended to ensure effective border security have become spaces for bribery and corruption, negotiation, bargaining and compromise. The study concludes that the multiple checkpoints are laced and shaped by the politics of the different security agencies mounting checkpoints along the Nigeria-Benin border and while these checkpoints have played pivotal roles in intercepting trans-border criminals, they are also “cheque-points” of corrupt interactions between the security actors and transporters. It is on this note that the study recommends that the Nigerian government should provide a holistic security framework that would ensure that the purpose of multiple security checks along Nigeria-Benin borders are achieved with a minimal or total eradication of an unprofessional interface between security, criminal, and non-criminal actors.