Current Meaning and Causes of Insecurity in Nigeria from 2024-2027
INTRODUCTION
Insecurity has become a hydra headed monster which security agents in Nigeria appear incapable of handling vis-a-vis its multifaceted manifestations like bombing, kidnapping/hostage taking, destruction of property, creation of fear, to mention but a few. This paper therefore examines the causes, government efforts at fostering peace as well as the effect of insecurity on human being and the nation economy. The study revealed that the power shift from the northern hegemony to a minority geo-political zone of South-south is currently on top in the list of issues that are instigating groups and individuals against the interests of the state.
Other matters of concern include intra/inter-party rancour; porous boundaries; unemployment, jobs racketeering and illiteracy. This is targeted at minimally debunking the usual argument about religion being the major cause of insecurity in Nigeria. It is a known fact that insecurity is detrimental to general well being of the people with its resultant effects in the areas of illnesses; low life expectancy; low quality of life and even death. On the economy, insecurity has led to the destruction of business, properties and equipments; relocation and closing down of businesses.
One of the fundamental human rights of the people in any given state is the right to security and this is why it is always provided for in the constitution of most sovereign states. Nigeria is not an exception, thus Section 14 (2) (b) of the Nigerian 1999 constitution states clearly that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of the government”. Although the problem of insecurity is not new in Nigeria, however since the confirmation of Goodluck Jonathan in February 2010 as the President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria following the hospitalisation and eventual death of President Yar’adua the nation has been witnessing unparalleled security challenges. Now, hardly a day goes by without a report of one security challenge or the other. Unfortunately, ordinary citizens as well as the nation’s economic resources are at the receiving end of this wanton destruction.
The series of bombings and killings in the north; kidnapping and armed robbery attack in the south; political and economic related assassinations as well as the politically influenced communal wars has become a multi-hydra headed monster which security agents in Nigeria appear incapable of handling. Security has long been a part of human existence and sustenance and could be aptly viewed as freedom from threat or violence which could lead to the loss of lives and properties. That is, security is a situation in which citizens are free from any threats to their life and means of livelihood, safe from bodily harm, diseases, unemployment, and human rights violations wherever they may find themselves within a sovereign nation. This paper therefore examines the causes of insecurity, the effect of insecurity on the citizens and the nation’s economy and government efforts at fostering peace.
THE CONCEPT OF INSECURITY
The word „insecurity‟‟ has myriads of connotations. It signifies danger; hazard; uncertainty; lack of protection, and lack of safety. Beland (2005) defines‟ insecurity as “the state of fear or anxiety stemming from a concrete or alleged lack of protection.” It refers to lack or inadequate freedom from danger. This implies that insecurity is an absence of peace, order and security. Achumba, Ighomeroho, Akpor (2013) defines insecurity from two perspectives. Firstly, insecurity is the state of being open or subject to danger or threat of danger, where danger is the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury.
Secondly, insecurity is the state of being exposed to risk or anxiety, where anxiety is a vague unpleasant emotion that is experienced in anticipation of some misfortune. These definitions of insecurity underscore a major point that those affected by insecurity are not only uncertain or unaware of what would happen but they are also vulnerable to the threats and dangers when they occur. People engaged in business activity, either directly or indirectly, to satisfy unlimited human wants. Therefore, business has become part and parcel of human existence in particular and global world in general. United Nations.
Current Meaning and Causes of Insecurity in Nigeria from 2024-2027
LEVEL OF INSECURITY AND SECURITY DEGENERATION IN NIGERIA
Insecurity paranoia is continuing to haunt all inhabitants of Nigeria as it is already fast dawning on them that government cannot effectively guarantee the security of lives and properties. The state security agents who are saddled with the responsibility for the security of life and property which include- the police, state security agencies, the military, immigration, and prison service have all performed abysmally in the discharge of their duties.
The level of insecurity in Nigeria is multifaceted as such one cannot accurately categorise the patterns of insecurity. Agomuo (2013) posits regarding the nature of insecurity in Nigeria that at different times in the past, these different groups have held the Nigerian nation to ransom. In each of these different times, the groups reigned, the nation’s security agencies were unable to deal with them or quell their lawless conduct through superior fire power. The government has always reached a form of settlement with these organisations.
The trend is that each time the government reached a compromise with these lawless groups, it became weaker and new groups emerged to use violent means to extract a commitment from government. In a typical behaviour of a nation that thrives on a rent economy, the government has always sought to buy peace and always ended with the peace of the graveyard like the current situation in the Niger Delta where former militants have been transformed into either top level government contractors or emergency crude oil refiners in the creeks or kidnap merchants, despite an amnesty programme that still costs the government billions of Naira every year (Agomuo, http://businessdayonline.com, 2013).
There are different forms of insecurity in Nigeria. For example in the South-West geo-political zone, armed robbery is prevalent especially in cities like Lagos, Ibadan, Akure and Abeokuta; in the South-South and South- East which is the oil base of the nation, kidnapping is rampant and the activities cover every part of the zone with victims of all ages and all walks of life; in the North, robbery across the border coupled with Boko Haram insurgence is the security challenge.
The menace of the Boko Haram for some time now has constituted a thorn in the flesh of Nigerians; from the first time they struck in Borno State part of Nigeria in 2009, over 4000 people including Nigeria citizens as well as expatriates has been killed in violent deadly attacks targeting Christian churches, police, a few mosques, military installations, Western-type educational institutions with innocent students and even children (Edukugho, 2012). They have also carried out a series of deadly and costly bombing campaigns in the country – the Independence anniversary bombing, the bombing of the United Nations office in Abuja, the bombing of the Police Headquarters in Abuja, the bombing of the military base in Kaduna (cited in Egbewole, 2013).
THE CAUSES OF INSECURITY IN NIGERIA
Leadership/power Tussle
This factor has resulted in putting the square peg in a round hole. This has deprived Nigerians the benefit of being administered by good leaders as most of the political leaders are in office for their own selfish gains. Often, sadly, these crops of political leaders oppress the citizens with the looted money, train thugs and hooligans who later turn to armed robbers, kidnappers, drug pushers etc when they are dumped by the politicians after elections thus constituting a serious threat to national growth and development.
The unexpected power shift from the northern hegemony to a minority geo-political zone of South-south, as a result of the death of President Yar’adua could be linked to the high tempo of insecurity. That is, the death of President Yar’adua resulted in an alteration of the northern perpetual claim on political power in Nigeria. In addition, the refutation of the North-South agreement on rotational presidency within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is also another major factor, thus the death of Yar’Adua and the ascendancy of Goodluck Jonathan as the president upset careful political arrangement (Ferrell, 2012).
Other forms of insecurity include politically related assassinations. In addition to this is the continuing rancour among political leaders even within same party and rancour between the ruling party and the opposition (Wali, n.d.). There are also several economic related assassinations all over the nation which creates danger to the nation’s economy. Furthermore, there is the power play and over-ambition of politicians who willfully encourage the procurement of weapons in order to pursue their inordinate political ambition (Egbewole, 2013).
Unemployment/ Poverty Issue
The degree with which unemployed youths are roaming about the street is alarming. These unemployed youths at present employ themselves by engaging in illegal activities such as kidnapping, robbery, child abduction, and other nefarious activities. As a result of the high level of unemployment and poverty among Nigerians, especially the youths, they are adversely attracted to violent crime (Adagba, et al, 2012). This is depicted by recent development in Anambra State where reports by Fides (2018) unveiled a 70-year old farmer butchered by disgruntled, hunger-infested and jobless youths residing in their villages owing to unemployment palaver.
Nwagbosa (2012) posits that the failure of successive administrations in Nigeria to address challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequitable distribution of wealth among ethnic nationalities is one major causes of insecurity in the country. Unemployment has a severe negative implication on sustainable and national development in Nigeria. Poverty also is a threat to human existence and reduces a man to a perpetual state of infancy. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD, 2007) opines that despite Nigerian huge resources and oil wealth, poverty is still rampant to the extent that the country is ranked one of the 20th poorest countries in the world”. Indeed, over 70 percent of the population is classified as poor, with 35 percent living in abject poverty (Andenrele, 2014).
Current Meaning and Causes of Insecurity in Nigeria from 2024-2027
Ethno-Religious Conflicts
These have arisen from distrust among various ethnic groups and among the major religions in the country, Ibrahim and Igbuzor (2002), Hazen and Horner, (2007), Salawu (2010) and Igbuzor, (2011) identified ethno-religious conflict as a major source of insecurity in Nigeria. Ethnoreligious conflict was defined as a situation in which the relationship between members of one ethnic or religious group and another of such group in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society is characterized by lack of cordiality, mutual suspicion, fear, and tendency towards violent confrontation.
Frequent and persistent ethnic conflicts and religious clashes between the two dominant religions (Islam and Christianity), present the country with a major security challenge. In all parts of Nigeria, there exist ethno-religious conflicts and these according to Ibrahim and Igbuzor (2002) have emerged as a result of new and particularistic forms of political consciousness and identity often structured around ethno-religious identities. The claim over scarce resources, power, land, chieftaincy, local government, councils, control of markets and sharia among other trivial issues have resulted in large scale killings and violence amongst groups in Nigeria (Adagba, et al, 2012).
Jobs Racketeering Factor
Today in Nigeria, jobs are for sales and only for the highest bidders. Jobseekers to this extent have continued to suffer great losses, as often a lot of money has been collected from them without getting the promised jobs. For instance, recently job seekers filled online application for recruitment into the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and were asked to pay certain amount of money into designated bank accounts or cash to some persons who claimed to be consultants to the Corps (Vanguard, 2013). On job racketeering also, the erstwhile Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Mrs. Rose Uzoma, was sacked over alleged job racketeering at the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
This has brought to the fore the shady deals that permeate recruitment exercises in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Nigeria. Reports had it that the recruitment scandal was blown open when a House of Representatives Committee probed the CGI for carrying out a recruitment exercise without advertising it in the media as was usually the practice (sunnewsonline, 2013). The Senate Committees on Federal Character and Inter-governmental Affairs has noted with dismay the irregularities which pervade employment at the Nigerian Immigration Services, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Nigeria.
HOW TO CURTAIL THE INCIDENCE OF INSECURITY IN NIGERIA
Abolishment of Bribery and Corruption and Entrenchment of Justice
Corruption is the antithesis of progress and development as it creates political instability, social unrest and crime infested environment, it breeds inefficiency, incompetence, mediocrity, unethical values and other negative instincts in man such as greed, malice, envy, avarice and rapacity, Anekwe, Ndubuisi-Okolo and Anigbogu(2015). Corruption is so entrenched and endemic in Nigeria that it has become a household issue and all elements of the economy are caught in corruption web, such that Nigeria ranked among the top ten most corrupt nations in the world (Onimajesin 2013). Corruption and injustice in Nigeria must be totally eliminated. Nepotism and a culture of impunity must also be eschewed from our national psyche and life to ensure national growth and sustainable development in Nigeria.
Creating Employment for the Qualified Unemployed Youths
Social effects of unemployment include personal hardship, depression, decay of acquired but unused skills, involvement in crime (mostly among youth) as well as dispute among married people, delayed marriages among singles and sometimes broken homes. Joblessness of a husband can lead to infidelity of the wife. Unemployment increases governments‟ expenditure or transfer payments where welfare programs are implemented in favor of the unemployed. Effect of corruption is that it leads to a reduction in economic growth and development by lowering incentives to invest; it also leads to a divestment in such economies. Serious investors are always wary of offering bribes before being allowed investment rights or operational licenses.
This is due to the fact that there is no guarantee that greased officials may keep their side of the agreement in case of contract breach, the fleeced investor is on his own (Eppele, 2006). To the above is the fact that foreign investors are also prone to withdraw their capital from a country with high incidence of corruption because the risk involved in doing business in such nations sometimes outweighs the benefits. Corruption contributes immensely to inhibition of economic performance; it negatively affects investment and economic growth, which is detrimental to national development. If corruption discourages investment, limits economic growth and alters the composition of government spending, it automatically hinders future economic growth and sustainable development. Unemployment must be seriously tackled and curtailed. The private sector must be encouraged and supported to create the much needed jobs. Constant electricity supply will no doubt boost employment and increase productivity
Current Meaning and Causes of Insecurity in Nigeria from 2024-2027
Solidification of Security Personnel/Agencies
Training and retraining of officers must be carried out on a regular basis with special focus on human rights, weapon handling, communication skills, new interrogation techniques (torture is outdated), exposure to new equipment and technology.
Good Governance
According to Oluwarotimi (2012), good governance is the panacea for the insecurity challenge in Nigeria. She states that the war against insecurity would be won only by raising governance standards, which is, cultivating the culture of good governance where the government is responsible and accountable to the people. In her view, security engagement cannot be separated from good governance. Many others have also linked security to governance system. The general view is that peace and security is determined by good governance. However, as Oluwa (2012) has pointed out, good governance is a function of effective, visionary, transparent, trustworthy and credible political leadership whose driving force is an improvement in the collective well-being of the citizens through well conceived, effectively implemented economic policies and human development programmers. The underlying principle of good governance is the focus on people as the ultimate objective of governance.
IMPLICATIONS OF INSECURITY FOR HUMAN WELLBEING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Although the cost of the prevalent insecurity in Nigeria is difficult to measure in monetary or real terms, however it is clear to observers that it has cost Nigerians enormous human and material resources. Security plays a major role in the existence and sustenance of human being. In this wise Coupland (2007) observed that insecurity has a far reaching impact on people’s lives and well-being and for this singular reason the government has to be alive to its responsibility of guaranteeing security. When people’s security are guaranteed, it gives them the freedom, physically and mentally to get on with the business of building their lives without fear of molestation or violent death. Thus, to experience a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being security is essential (Meddings, 2001), without security, there can be no stable society rather there will be prevalent fear and danger from violent death (Hobbes 1651, cited in Coupland, ibid).
In addition, insecurity can also inhibit health care system as such facilities are often destroyed leaving no place for people to seek treatment. Furthermore, governments spend more money on fighting the insurgents and so allocate less money in health services hence we see deteriorating health infrastructures (Dodge, 1990). In this situation, medical supplies and equipments become scarce and skilled doctors and nurses flee to more stable areas leading to the spread of communicable disease (Mori, et al., ibid). A vivid example is the recent case of health workers who were designated to immunize children against polio who lost their lives in the cause of discharging their duties in different parts of northern Nigeria.
The unfortunate resultant effect was that the immunisation activity was put on hold as health workers stayed away for their safety. Also, the series of bombings has cost citizens vital organs of their body such as noses, ears, and eyes turning them into dependants. Some have had their hands or legs amputated, while others have incurred different forms of ailment such as high blood pressure, shock, due to the loss of relatives, breadwinners and valuable properties or means of livelihood. Besides many people due to security deterioration are living in perpetual fear while some are practically ‘living deads’ with no hope for the future having lost everything in the pervading insecurity.
Current Meaning and Causes of Insecurity in Nigeria from 2024-2027
On the impact of insecurity on the economy, the productive aspect of most manufacturing business depends largely on the availability and regular supply of raw materials for production. Insecurity has cut off the supply of such raw materials hence, jeopardizing production activities. Besides this, insecurity affects marketing of finished product as there is a continuous exodus from areas of insecurity. There is also an increase in security spending as most business organisations operating in Nigeria spend a lot in maintaining private security outfits. The destruction of their business building, properties and equipment is tantamount to loss of capital which has ruined not a few businesses in Nigeria. Thus, security is critical for the nation’s development and its absence of security means that economic growth and development cannot be achieved (Achumba, Ighomereho and Akpor- Robaro, 2013).
Insecurity is a risk factor which business owners and managers dread and avoid by relocating their businesses elsewhere. In the case of Nigeria, there is also evidence of some businessmen and manufacturing companies having to relocate particularly from the North in recent times to other peaceful parts of the country (Nwagboso, 2012). Many of the Igbos and Yorubas from Southern Nigeria who are engaged in various businesses in Northern Nigeria have had to return to their home states to avoid the violence orchestrated by the terrorist group Boko Haram (Suleiman, 2012).
Current Meaning and Causes of Insecurity in Nigeria from 2024-2027
Thus the Boko Haram insurgency which begun in Maiduguri, Borno State, in 2009, has badly affected the economy of the North as major consumer goods and the companies which produce these consumer goods have withdrawn from the region. A good example are the telecommunication companies which have been forced to close down as their telecommunication apparatuses were repeatedly destroyed; media houses were equally attacked as well as having some of their staff killed; banks too were not spared from the destruction as some branches of the banks were attacked and robbed. Thus the resources which could have been used in strengthening the infrastructural amenities are increasingly being diverted to fund the security system, therefore constituting a drain on the nation resources (Nwagboso, 2012).
Current Meaning and Causes of Insecurity in Nigeria from 2024-2027
Oil production per day has also drastically declined as a result of kidnappings of oil workers in the region. Nigeria is therefore estimated to be losing about 600,000 barrels of crude oil on daily basis to illegal bunkers which amounts to about N3.7 trillion yearly (The Punch, May 20, 2011, cited in Omoyibo and Akpomera, 2012). Besides, the wave of kidnapping in some parts of Nigeria has forced investors, businessmen and manufacturing companies to relocate to other peaceful cities in Nigeria or even to leave the country entirely.
In Aba for example, the Nigeria Breweries Limited (NBL), Seven- Up PLC, UNILEVER PLC, Paterson Zochonis (PZ) PLC relocated to Enugu largely due to constant kidnapping of their expatriate staff (Nwagboso, 2012). Thus the decline in foreign investment in Nigeria as a result of insecurity when combined with the effects of global economic showdown has caused the closing down of tens of thousands of factories in Nigeria (Omoyibo and Akpomera, ibid).
Conclusion
Security without doubt is sine qua non for the sound existence of human beings, a nation, its unity and economic prosperity as well as political stability. Security entails the presence of peace, safety, happiness and the protection of human and physical resources. All threats to human security are also challenges to health and consequently are detrimental to the physical, psychological and over all well being of the individual. Thus, we note that insecurity leads to illnesses, low life expectancy rate, low quality of life and even death.
The productive sector of the economy which depends largely on the availability and regular supply of raw materials is suffering from the cutting off of the supply of raw materials and also facing untold difficulty in the marketing of finished product. In the area of finance, insecurity has increased security or defense spending as the country and most business organisations now spend a lot in maintaining security outfits.
Insecurity has thus, become a drain on national resources as the resources expended on security could have been otherwise deployed in developing national infrastructure. Finally and perhaps most importantly to Nigeria, insecurity has significantly affected oil production as a result of kidnappings and the hostage taking of oil workers and this has adversely reduced government revenue.
References
Achumba, I. C., Ighomereho, O. S. and Akpor-Robaro, M. O. M. (2013). “Security Challenges in Nigeria and the Implications for Business Activities and Sustainable Development”. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development 4(2), 79-99.
Balogun, I. and Sessou, E. (2013). “As Boko Haram’s Attack Increases, Death Toll ises”.http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/12/as-boko-harams-attack-increases-death-oll-rises/
El-Rufai, N. (2012). “The Challenge of National Security and Implication for National Developmen”t. Being a Lecture Delivered at the National Conference of the Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA) on 19th May, 2012.
Farrell, R. (2012). “Boko Haram: Understanding the Threat. New York: Consultancy Africa Intelligence’s Conflict and terrorism Units.
Mori, L., Meddings, D. R. and Bettcher, D. W. (2004). “Health, Human Security and the Peace-building Process”. IPSHU English Research Report Series (19), 176-196.
Current Meaning and Causes of Insecurity in Nigeria from 2024-2027
Current Meaning and Causes of Insecurity in Nigeria from 2024-2027
