2022 has been an eventful year in Nigeria. For one thing, it has been a precursor to country General electionwhich are scheduled to be held in the first quarter of 2023 a comprehensive effort On his own. What’s more, the election campaign and related activities are taking place in the background. growing insecurity,
There have been some particularly terrifying events in 2022. terrorists on 28 march ambushed A passenger train from Abuja to Kaduna. They kill some of the passengers and kidnap scores more.
After nearly six months of negotiations, and unconfirmed claims of ransom payments, the final batch 23 prisoners Was released from the train in October.
on June 5, more than 30 people Another terrorist was killed in an attack on a church in Owo, Ondo State.
No part of the country is untouched. AND, WHEREAS the run-up to the elections in Nigeria is marked by violenceThe situation may worsen.
One of the biggest concerns when considering Nigeria’s year in review is the same as it has been for the past few years: Africa’s largest democracy needs significant reform if it is to be safe for all who live in it.
every area is affected
Every sector is affected. But the nature of violence and insecurity varies from place to place within Nigeria. First, boko haram The biggest security headache was the country. Its destabilizing insurgency, which began in Borno State, was centered in the country’s northeast region.
now many others non-state armed group spreading violence throughout Nigeria.
The south-eastern region of the country has come under its grip separatist violence And criminal opportunism is crippling businesses in major business centers such as Onitsha, Anambra State. take the activities of “unknown gunman”Criminals who often disguise as Biafra separatists to perpetrate mass violence, especially kidnapping for ransom and armed robbery.
Meanwhile, the northwestern part of Nigeria, including Katsina, the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari, has been caught in a trap. crime and terror: Kidnappings, mass abductions, enforced disappearances, cattle rustling and local raids. communities in this area have been displaced and some are essentially held hostage in their own homes by bandits and Islamic rebels.
Meanwhile, the north-central region is still grappling with farmer-pastoral crisisWhich became prevalent around 1999. The crisis is often complicated by the mix Cowboy insurgency and jihadist-style outlawsEspecially in parts of Niger State.
The southwest, which includes places like Lagos, has seen a rise in gangs, cult and ritual violence, it is in addition piracy and oil piracy prevalent in the Niger Delta region.
At least 7,222 Nigerians were killed and 3,823 were abducted outcome of There were 2,840 violent incidents between January and July 2022.
overcoming challenges?
The government of Nigeria, at various levels, appears ill-equipped to cope with the situation. Its response from various security agencies has been largely poorineffective and reactive.
Keep study Contemporary Security Trends in Nigeria, I have several suggestions on how the government can proactively deal with the crisis.
First, Nigeria’s national security system has been unnecessarily centralist and militaristic. Its command and control approach needs to be developed through state and community policing.
Local participation in security should be encouraged. Neighborhood, corporate and community vigilantism, supported and supervised by relevant government agencies, are ideas worth considering.
People must learn to take personal responsibility for keeping their lives, homes, properties and communities safe. Individuals, families and corporate bodies must incorporate safety and security into their plans. Hiring trained and certified private guards is a step in the right direction.
Second, internal security operations are often reactive. Troops are usually mobilized to respond to specific incidents in a “fire brigade” manner. This has to give way to a pre-emptive and proactive approach, driven by intelligence and capable of preventing threats.
Security priorities and concerns must be incorporated into the institutional processes and procedures of governance and development.
Finally, there has been a tendency in Nigeria towards the politicization of national security issues. For example, there have been farmer-pastoral conflicts in many parts of the country grossly misunderstood I either religious or ethnic terms,
This makes it difficult to properly understand and defuse the situation. Depoliticization of matters of national security is an imperative in the country’s quest for peace and coexistence.
As the country moves out of 2022 and its security challenges, it is my hope that the coming year will witness a remarkable departure in terms of the fortunes of state and national security in Nigeria.