Evaluation of the Impact of Security Operatives on Road Users in South-West Nigeria (A Case Study of Ibadan-Igboora Highway in Oyo State)

Abstract

Road user‟s face a lot of difficulties on our highways in the country due to the situation we found ourselves as a country, insecurity along our major roads and the poor conditions of the roads networks which as paved way for the presence of the security operatives on the roads through several road blocks, Which have led to inconveniency and unsafe for the well-being of the roads users. Therefore, this study qualitatively examined the impact of security operatives on road users in south-west Nigeria. The study was carried out along Ibadan, Iseyin and Igboora highway in Oyo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a phenomenological research methodology to explore and provide an in-depth description of participants‟ well-being experiences when making trip along these route. In total, 150 participants were selected randomly from the study area. Both Atlas.ti 7.0 and In Vivo software were used to transcript the interview while analysis was done qualitatively. The findings of the study revealed that most respondents consented that they went through different type of delay, increase in their travel time and their cost of travel due to various road blocks by the security operatives on that particular route. The study concluded that commuters or road users faces a lot of ugly experiences along our highway from passengers safety, loss of travel time, travel cost, injustice and low drivers income. The study recommended that there should be adequate maintenance of our roads and encourages our security personnel on various roads blocks.