Security Challenges and Implications to National Stability (original) (raw)
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National security issues and challenges in Nigeria: Which way forward
Nweke Prince Onyemaechi. & Nwachukwu Tochukwu Stephen, 2014
ABSTRACT This paper attempts to examine and evaluate the origin, causes, and suggested solutions to National Security Issues and challenges. The paper highlights the ongoing concerns, challenges and proffers solutions which citing Mr. President as the only authority that should acknowledge the failure of the security agencies and provide complete overhaul of the Security Agencies to pre-empt these security breaches. In particular, the failure of the intelligence services to contain the recurring security breaches. Such as the spate of bombings which has once more brought to limelight the need for a Sovereign National Conference. And until these structural distortions and anomalies are addressed, the monster of insecurity will loom large. The paper recommends that Mr. President has the power to act decisively to execute his office, and this can be achieved by implementing the anti-terrorism law and punish culprits of such heinous crimes capable of causing instability in the nation. This paper also discusses the instrumentality of effective use of the Islamic panacea in tackling moral degeneration and insecurity that have both become the bane of Nigeria. From this paper, we see that it is expressly stated in our Constitution that the Government(s) is ultimately responsible for the security of lives, property, etc of the people of Nigeria. Keywords: Security, National Security, National Development, Boko Haram, Insecurity
security challenges in nigeria
Nigeria as a country gained her independence on October 1st 1960 and after a temporary civilian government and a long reign of military power, which experienced a series of coup d’état it was restored to a democratic federation in 1999. A country with a population of over 168 million and rich in both human and natural resources faces some concerns such as corruption and security challenges. These challenges are on the increase because of lack of solutions to the issues and as such posed several threats to its inhabitants as well as create economic implications. There are some contentions as to whether the current systems handling security issues are effective. This paper will provide an in-depth analysis at the level of insecurity in Nigeria using past and current events. It will also examine existing domestic and external policies channelled towards managing the security concerns. This dissertation addresses these questions: Firstly, what is the highest form of security concern in the country? Secondly, what role do the leaders play in ensuring security? Thirdly, what can be done to counter the security challenges? And lastly, what are the possible causes of insecurity in Nigeria? Following a careful review of existing literature, in spite of the growing security issues in Nigeria, there are limited academic works thus limiting in-depth insight into key areas of security concerns This dissertation uses a mixed method approach which combines the collective use of qualitative and quantitative data methodology. From these findings, the study identifies evidence linking different group causes of the security issues and also loophole in the available policies. Such awareness can help the Nigerian Government, NGOs, International Organisations and other interested bodies improve policies for security challenges especially in developing diverse nationals. Although, previous studies restrict findings to, identifying one cause of security challenges. This comprehensive study identifies both direct and indirect causes of the issues and as such allows for collective understanding. This bundling of the causes of security challenges in Nigeria will allow other researchers focus on providing possible solution to the issues. KEYWORDS: Terrorism, Militancy, Corruption, Lawlessness, Unemployment, Illiteracy, Structure, Politics, Crude Oil, Ethnicity and Religion.
Assessment of National Security Issues in Different Parts of Nigeria
International Journal of Advanced Academic Research, 2015
The paper examined National Security issues in different parts of Nigeria: challenges to national development and unity. Data were obtained through primary and secondary sources that involved critical observations of events, incidences, views of different categories of people as well as authors in different places and works of life in the country on contemporary security issues. Government responses to the insecurity issues in the country were also studied. The study clearly reveals that Nigeria is presently facing serious internal security challenges from the Boko Haram/Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) insurgency; kidnapping; the Niger Delta militancy; cattle rustling, banditry and Fulani militia. Others are: ethno-religious conflicts, porous border and arms dealings and election-induced violence. The paper also identified poor governance, ineffective leadership and implementation of policies, poor transparency, accountability and disobedience to rule of law, weak government institutions and corruptions with impunity, unemployment, poverty, porous borders and affirmed that all these security challenges no doubt pose enormous threats to the social, economic and political stability of Nigeria. The paper is of the view that the key to finding national security in Nigeria is getting the right leadership and good governance to eradicate corruption, bridge multi-ethnic composition of the Nigerian society, holistically deal with the identified insecurity in the land and finding government that would give assurance and confidence to every citizen that his or her fundamental rights as stated in the constitution is guaranteed and protected.
Security imperatives and societal implications for government: Perspectives in Nigeria
International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 2020
In the first half of the year 2020, Nigeria had recorded intensified violence spawn from the insurgent groups in the form of Boko Haram Islamic sect, Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP), banditry and the self-styled Fulani herdsmen attacks in the North East, North West, and now in other regions of the country. These seemingly intensified and determined campaign of violence by these insurgent groups, and the ineptitudes of the Security Chiefs to contain the activities of these terrorists groups and criminal gangs, as well as the occasional violations of human rights and abuse of the rule of law, inarguably, resulted to the regular outcries for the protection of lives and properties, as well as the removal of the Security Service Chiefs in the country. This study, therefore, seeks to unveil the reasons behind the activities of these insurgent groups and the consequences of their actions to socioeconomic development of the country. Also of pertinence is the need to x-ray the trends in attacks by the insurgents and criminal gangs. To achieve the objectives of this study, historical research design which is qualitative and explorative in nature was adopted. This means that data used were derived mainly from secondary source such as textbooks, journal publications, official documents, internet materials, among others. The study adopts Expectancy theory to examine the need for the government and security agencies to ensure the citizens are protected, and not particularly, the regime. Policy options were proffered to ameliorate the consequences of the activities of the insurgent groups and to strengthen the security agencies, especially the armed forces to enable them combat these insurgencies in the country. Moreover, the government needs to improve on border security to stem the inflow of jihadist groups, small and light weapons through the country's porous borders with its neighbouring countries; and also on the forestry department in order to check the movement of these criminal groups who find our forests as safe for camping and training of their recruited members, among others.
Threats to Security in Nigeria
Review of Public Administration and Management, 2013
Nigerians expect that leadership should guarantee the security of the populace who in return will be law abiding. The reverse is the case with Nigeria. Each time one reads the newspapers, they speak of one crisis or the other in the country. This is a source of concern among scholars. It is becoming worrisome that people sleep with one eye closed. The reason is that state institutions and agencies are not effective and efficient. Leadership has failed to address these threats leaving the people on their own. The country has not been able to fulfil its potentials due to the existence of threats in the polity. This has given Nigeria a bad name. Investors are cautious of coming to a country where their lives and investments are not safe.Beside; Nigeria has been on a steady decline in the Global peace index.
This study attempts to x-ray the essential elements of security and the need for their application in ensuring the stability and integration of the Nigerian federation in the light of the foregoing heightened security challenges in Nigeria. No nation can freely develop or overcome the forces of instabilities and disintegration when it neglects the effective harnessing or application of basic or essential elements of security. Such critical elements of security include; timely procurement of security intelligence, prompt identification of threats to both internal and national security with its attendant pro-active security arrangement, threat assessment, statement of aims/objectives of national security objectives and programmes, planning to be in line with the objectives of national security. Other elements are: security liaison, and networking with other sister security departments towards achieving the national security objectives, effectively coordinating security and its activities under a centralized command structure, re-appraisal of the overall security objectives, situations and strategies in the light of new developments as well as advising government based on the situation on ground for the overall improvement of security measures and adequate funding. In the case of Nigeria, security lapses and challenges manifest on daily basis in forms of youth restiveness, terrorism and insurgent attacks, kidnappings and hostage-takings for monetary ransoms, political assassinations, arsons, murders, cult-related activities, mass protests and so forth. This work analyzes descriptively while multi-track security model is the theoretical framework. This work indicates that the Nigerian Government which has the sole statutory mandate to manage state security has not effectively harnessed the critical essentials of security to achieve the stability and integration of the country. The work therefore recommends that the Nigerian leaders should holistically address and utilize the essential elements of security in ensuring the stability and integration of the Nigerian Federation by effectively organizing, planning, funding, controlling, directing and integrating technical 2 elements with human and material resources towards achieving the stability and integration of the Nigerian state.
How to Manage the Security Challenges in Nigeria: A Case Study of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Global Journal of Management and Business Research:B Economics and Commerce, 2020
The provision of security and well-being of the citizens of nation is a primary function of every Governments all over the world through the use of instruments of state power, including defense and security agencies, backed-up by enabling laws. For instance, the 1999 Nigerian constitution outlines the role of government and relationship among levels of government in security management. Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria as a whole had suffered myriad of internal security challenges namely; kidnappings and hostage takings, murder, assassinations, armed robberies, cult-related criminal activities and subversion. Others include illegal possession of fire arms, insurgency, economic sabotage, oil pipelines and divergent forms of vandalization, arson and communal clashes due to boundary disputes. This work used Chi-Square formula to analyze the causes of insecurity and the role of government in security management. The study however, focused on security challenges arising from negligence of statutory responsibilities by police personnel due to poor salary, insufficient funding and equipping of security agencies. Abstract-The provision of security and well-being of the citizens of nation is a primary function of every Governments all over the world through the use of instruments of state power, including defense and security agencies, backed-up by enabling laws. For instance, the 1999 Nigerian constitution outlines the role of government and relationship among levels of government in security management. Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria as a whole had suffered myriad of internal security challenges namely; kidnappings and hostage takings, murder, assassinations, armed robberies, cult-related criminal activities and subversion. Others include illegal possession of fire arms, insurgency, economic sabotage, oil pipelines and divergent forms of vandalization, arson and communal clashes due to boundary disputes. This work used Chi-Square formula to analyze the causes of insecurity and the role of government in security management. The study however, focused on security challenges arising from negligence of statutory responsibilities by police personnel due to poor salary, insufficient funding and equipping of security agencies. This work adopted Structural Functionalist and Three Levels Security Models as theoretical frameworks. The result of findings among others showed that there are divergent causes of insecurity in Nigeria which include unemployment, cultism, robbery and inadequate funding of security agencies. The study recommends that government at all levels should create more jobs for the unemployed, motivate, approve good remuneration to security and law enforcement agents, properly fund and equip security agencies to boost their operational capabilities for effective protection of lives and property of the citizens.
Nigeria’s Changing Security Matrix and Management of Insecurity
Internal Security Management in Nigeria, 2019
The complexity of contemporary security challenges facing the Nigerian state and the weakness in effectively addressing them remain one of the engaging subjects of concern in African affairs. The collection of scholarly articles in this book excellently simplify and break down the component parts of this complex subject into a readily digestible form for scholars, experts and practitioners. The publication is a major contribution to knowledge."
The Nigerian State and Strategies for Eliminating Security Challenges In Nigeria
Journal of Global Social Sciences
The right to life is a fundamental human right that is engrave in the constitution of most independent countries. This make most sovereign state to be the most important and dominant structure within the social system. Security of life and property on the other hand has long been a part of human existence and sustenance and could be aptly viewed as freedom from threat or violence which is also known as peace. Durable peace has remained elusive in Nigeria since the country gained independence. The nature and character of the Nigerian state which has a colonial origin has led to the manifestations of insecurity and violence in different trends which include; youth involvement in crime, collective and targeted violence against individuals, groups and state institutions which have escalated over the years. The major objective of this paper is to examine the nature of Nigerian state and the high level of insecurity challenges, and strategies that can help eliminate them. Exploratory desi...
National Security and the National Question for Development in Nigeria
Caleb Journal of Social and Management Science, 2017
This paper examined the prominent role played by security of life and properties in the development of the society. Its primary focus is that security is the major determinant of development of any society. It also critically examined the role of security in the development of the Nigerian nation. It ramified the concepts of national security and national development, how they are intertwined and linked them to the Nigerian society. The paper examined the causes of national security challenges in Nigeria such as corruption, injustice, poverty, poor health care delivery services, decayed and collapsed infrastructure, environmental degradation and socioreligious crises. The paper examined the correlations between all these causes of insecurity and the crises of underdevelopment in Nigeria particularly in the area of abject poverty, unemployment, lack of functional industries, low foreign investment, diversion of public funds, youth restiveness, religious and social violence, poor tourist attraction, and negative effect on the psychological wellbeing of the citizenry. It evaluates the issues raised and concluded that the issues are meant for pro-active reaction of the generality of the Nigerians and not the government alone.