INSECURITY IN NIGERIA: CAUSES AND WAYS TO CURB IT

By Ozonuwe Godwin Obinna

“The cancer you fail to treat in its early stage can be very deadly when it mature’s to a greater force which can lead to death.

        Insecurity in Nigeria has become a very alarming, now we are at a stage where it now looks like it’s an every day faith of a. Common man. It now runs down to all levels of life ranging from the elites and the poor masses, who find it difficult to survive are now being targeted and tortured in the camp of terrorist and bandits in all parts of the nation 

       Before I go down into my main points, I will like to enlighten we all what insecurity means? It is the felling of uncertainty or anxiety about one’s situation in a particular location. More over, it is said to be lack of safety or protection, due to the treats in the environment which can cause harm to human lives and properties. There are so many causes of insecurity in nation such as Nigeria which are unemployment, bad government, and religion to mention a few. In this case study, I will be using our blessed nation Nigeria as an example laying out it cause and the consequences of having incompetent leaders in power. 

       In Nigeria with the help of statistics it shows that this nation is among the most populated in the world ranking (3rd) begin china and India. This  issue of insecurity is now turning into a multi faced problem, which is now affecting the nation through social, economic, political means. Insurgents groups such as Boko haram, ISWAP, and the newest of all bandits groups spreading like wildfire in our dear nation Nigeria; mostly in the northern part where it is now unbearable threatening the lives of farmers, cattle herders, and even property in states like Zamfara and Borno to lay out a few of the affected states in Nigeria. The newest of them all was the kidnap of (45) school children from oyo together with there teachers which led to a male teacher being beheaded in the bush may his soul rest in peace. The most annoying part is the mute behavior of the government on the issue, I agree giving out information to the public at a time like this can be harmful in the wrong hand but still we need legit information to show that the lives of the masses is being accounted for just to end the pain and torture they go through daily in captivity.

          Insecurity can be traced to some key aspects in a nations build up, ranging from socio economic disparities, organized crime, corruption and political instability. When we digress in the field of socio economic influence on the matter of insecurity; it draws down to poverty, unemployment, increament in the population of idle citizens making them vulnerable to radicalization and violent crime also inequality and illiteracy breeds frustration in the lives of citizens. Another key factor is the aspect of political instability; this had turned out to be the primary catalyst for insecurity. This tends to create an atmosphere where elite manipulation weakens governance and lawlessness aids criminal network. Lastly environmental crisis is a factor that significantly drives insecurity in a nation such as Nigeria with instances such as physical topography and porous borders. This makes it more difficult for law enforcement agencies to track down these law breakers; large forests, vegetation and high mountain terrain which helps to aid banditry and all forms of illegal activities. We plead to all government officials to help combat this issue and find a way to resolve these problems where by giving the masses the essential public amenities that will aid productivity and this means will prove a point that they really care about the nation’s welfare.

       There are several ways to curb insecurity but to mention a few I will be looking at; fostering a better relationship between security personnel and we the citizens. Another notable method is to increase surveillance and increase gathering by providing the necessary digital tools needed to aid the betterment of their works. Reduction in the rate of poverty and lack among it’s citizens by adding educational programs and economic development programs which aims at increasing the rate of literacy in our nation Nigeria. 

      In addition community policing..where citizen are selected and armed and sent into the buses to comb the areas and independent security surveillance centre will be established. That operates more with drones, coordinated with latest computer systems...night Google for those doing night watches...

     The days of Insecurity are numbered but a better Nigeria will begin with you and me by giving up useful information to security operatives and adhearing to the rules and regulations of our dear nation Nigeria to the poor, rich and wealthy. Unity can help strengthen we all to help fight against insecurity.