Insecurity in Nigeria as a Multifaceted Challenge: A Scrutiny of Its Attendant Aftermaths and Possible Ways to Stem The Tide -By Onyebuashi Esther Otitochukwu

Insecurity has become an increasingly prevalent issue in Nigeria, posing significant threats to the nation’s stability, peace, and socio-economic development. This article aims to delve into the various dimensions of insecurity in Nigeria, shedding light on its causes, consequences, and potential solutions.

To understand the current state of insecurity, it is essential to examine the historical context. Nigeria’s rich diversity of cultures, religions, and ethnicities has also brought about deep-seated tensions and conflicts. Historical divides, such as the North-South rivalry and ethno-religious disputes, have fueled the mistrust and animosity that contribute to the current insecurity crisis.

One of Nigeria’s most significant ongoing security challenges is the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast region. Boko Haram, an extremist group seeking to establish an Islamic caliphate, has been responsible for countless acts of violence, including bombings, kidnappings, and mass killings. This insurgency has resulted in the displacement of millions and a significant rise in the number of internally displaced persons.

In recent years, the northwestern region of Nigeria has witnessed a surge in kidnapping for ransom and banditry. Criminal groups operate with impunity, targeting vulnerable communities, schools, and even highways. This has led to a climate of fear and a tragic loss of lives and livelihoods.

Another critical aspect of insecurity in Nigeria is the ongoing clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farming communities. Dwindling resources, such as land and water, have sparked violent conflicts, often exacerbated by ethno-religious differences. These clashes have resulted in significant loss of life, destruction of farmland, and the displacement of entire communities.

The Niger Delta region, rich in oil reserves, has experienced a different kind of insecurity – pipeline vandalism and oil theft. Criminal syndicates engage in the illegal bunkering of crude oil and sabotage pipelines, causing massive environmental damage and depriving the nation of vital revenue. This issue is a significant obstacle to the region’s development and a constant source of tension between the government and local communities.

The root causes of insecurity in Nigeria are multifaceted, encompassing political, economic, social, and historical factors. Corruption, weak governance, high youth unemployment, poverty, inequality, and inadequate access to justice exacerbate the problem. These issues, coupled with ethnic and religious divisions, fuel deep-seated grievances and create fertile grounds for criminal activities and radicalization.

The consequences of insecurity in Nigeria are far-reaching and encompass political, socio-economic, and humanitarian dimensions. Insecurity hinders foreign direct investment, diminishes economic prospects, and undermines social cohesion. It also disrupts educational systems, straining human capital development and hindering progress in key sectors such as agriculture, health, and infrastructure.

Addressing and curbing insecurity in Nigeria requires some comprehensive and holistic approaches. One of these approaches is strengthening security forces, both financially and in adequate training. Enhancing the capacity, training, and equipment of security agencies to enable them to effectively combat criminal groups and insurgency can help to limit the rate of insecurity in Nigeria.

A second approach by which insecurity in Nigeria can be addressed is through community engagement. Encouraging collaboration between security forces, local communities, and traditional leaders to foster trust; sharing of knowledge and intelligence, and community-driven solutions can also go a long way in addressing the pathetic situation of Nigeria’s insecurity.

Thirdly, socio-economic development as well as provision of social amenities for the populace cannot be forgotten in discussing ways with which to reduce Nigeria’s insecurity. Implementing policies that address poverty, youth unemployment, and inequality, including investment in education, skills training, and job creation is a key factor in addressing insecurity in Nigeria.

Moreover, another way of handling the issue of insecurity in Nigeria is by critically attacking corruption. Corruption has, over the years, been a major bane of social insecurity in the country. Hence, tackling the issue of corruption at all levels of government, and improving governmental accountability to ensure resources are efficiently and transparently utilized for the benefit of all, is a very important approach of treating the malaise of severe insecurity in our “lovely” country, Nigeria.

Additionally, insecurity in Nigeria can be reducibly addressed by promoting national unity and the spirit of togetherness, patriotism, and national consciousness among various groups and regions all over the country. Encouraging dialogue, tolerance, and national cohesion through initiatives that promote inter-ethnic and interreligious understanding, and thereby reducing inter-ethnic conflicts or inter-tribal wars is extremely a useful tool in handling the critical issue of insecurity in Nigeria.

More so, dialogue and reconciliation between conflicting segments of the Nigerian society cannot be underrated when it comes to addressing the issue of insecurity. Groups or regions in a country that are in conflict or at war with one another can be a great menace to societal peace and security, because their actions can always breed violence. Where there is violence, there insecurity thrives. To this end, facilitating dialogue and reconciliation processes to address the root causes of conflicts and promote peaceful co-existence among various groups, regions and other biospheric sections of the Nigerian nation is a major holistic approach through which the pathetic state of Nigeria’s insecurity can be curbed.

Lastly, oil sector reforms can be a viable way of treating the matter of insecurity in the Nigerian State. Research has it that most of the horrendous situations related to insecurity in Nigeria are scourged by oil-related conflicts and criminal activities. The instance of the Niger Delta insurgency is a typical situation that gave birth to great insecurity in the Niger Delta region. Therefore, if suitable measures to curb oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and environmental degradation are created and implemented, while ensuring the equitable distribution of resources and benefits to oil-producing communities, the issue of insecurity in Nigeria would merely be a past night mare.

Conclusively, insecurity in Nigeria is a complex and multifaceted challenge that requires a comprehensive, multidimensional, and long-term approach. It is imperative that the Nigerian government, civil society, and international partners work collaboratively to address the root causes of this issue; and enhance security, promote socio-economic development, and foster national unity. Only by doing so can we overcome the obstacles posed by insecurity in the state, and pave the way for a peaceful, prosperous, and harmonious future Nigeria that is clothed in adequate security; because just as Jodi Rell posited, “At the end of the day, the goals are very simple: safety and security.”

Onyebuashi Esther Otitochukwu,

A student of Delta State University, Abraka, Oleh Campus.