Rising Insecurity in Nigeria: Causes and Solutions 2020
Insecurity is conceived as a situation in which the state’s human and national safety are compromised by elements or interests worsened by poor economic and human resource development conditions of the state.
Nigeria has recently been mired with insecurity that has resulted in thousands of deaths. This may be linked to growing this may be linked to the growing inter-ethnic conflicts, religious intolerance, political rivalry and an increasing population of disgruntled citizens in the country. Citizens who feel they have been short-changed and have very limited or no access to our common heritage. In addition to the continued insecurity, which has not only threatened domestic integration but has also resulted in a decline in Nigeria’s industrial growth and has developed an atmosphere of terror, uncertainty and anxiety.
The causes of insecurity in Nigeria include
a) A shortfall in Governance and Institutional Capacity: The pillars of Nigeria’s institutional structure are weak and have triggered decimation of state governance and democratic accountability. Thus, paralyzing the current structured and legal laws nestled in the social order hierarchy. This is evident in the Government’s inability to provide basic services to its people. The lack of basic amenities has created a rising army of disgruntled Nigerian citizens, resorting to violence at the slightest provocation or opportunity. Due to this situation, the crime rate is increasing and the security of human life and property is no longer guaranteed.
b) Ethno Religious Conflicts: Ethno-religious conflicts are thought to be the major sources of insecurity in Nigeria. They arise in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious community when the members of one ethnic or religious group grow a certain level of distrust, fear or disdain towards the other. Hence, the spikes of violent confrontations resulting in clashes and loss of lives. These conflicts sometimes revolve around who gets what and how in the state, especially when it comes to the distribution of scarce resources, power, land, titles, local government councils, market control and the expansion of religious territories.
c) The estrangement between the People and Government: Through the years, people and government have become increasingly isolated. The government, whether military or civilian, have not attempted to bridge the gap, causing division, distrust and resentment. Consequently, when the citizens do not understand the government or have an impression that the government does not care for their welfare, they become easy prey to the opposition that incite them. Causing them to vent their rage towards perceived enemies of the people and often go to the extent of destroying national emblems.
d) Weak and Poorly Funded Security Agencies: Given the huge security budgets each year, insecurity in many states is on the rise. Some of these funds find their way into the hands of certain well-positioned individuals and the citizens are left to suffer in the hands of criminals and sociopaths. Additionally, federally operated security agencies are institutionally weak, highly politicized, and poorly financed. The status quo makes it easy to compromise the security of the country.
e) Inter-agency Rivalry: The reluctance of security agencies to exchange intelligence information is now one of the factors negating the rapid apprehension of culprits.
Also, the inability of security services to gather intelligence, as well as the near timidity of security operatives in proactively policing the country, coupled with the lack of apprehension of the culprits, worsens the lack of cooperation.
f) Governments Laxity Towards Conviction of Perpetrators of Violence: The inability to apprehend and convict perpetrators and criminal advocates have led many more social deviants and their supporters to recklessly perpetrate evil.
g) Imminent Factors: The imminent factors that contribute to the country’s insecurity include porous borders, rural-urban drift, the social irresponsibility of companies that result in negative externalities which trigger social unrest in their host communities, unemployment, poverty and terrorism. All these add to the country’s sultry security situation.
To solve insecurity in Nigeria:
Firstly, there is a moral duty on the government to lead by example. The moral leadership that prevents evil, greed, vices, oppression, inequality and wickedness will oblige people to model their leadership’s character and vice versa. Secondly, the current political structure must be able to offer the requisite social benefits to boost Nigerians’ quality of life and lift many people out of the absolute poverty that they have faced for a long time. Thirdly, moral and ethical principles that should govern Nigerians’ actions and conduct must be established. The principles must be founded on respect for human life, respect for human dignity and the right of the individual to live freely; freedom of worship, faith, thinking and conscience; and freedom of expression. Fourthly, the government and the people of Nigeria should codify the universal ideals and virtues for the good of a larger society. Finally, a national dialogue is considered necessary for Nigerians to state their concerns and resentment about the state and lay the blueprints for the participation of all the constituent units that make up Nigeria.