For decades, Nigeria has been facing security challenges ranging from ethnic and religious clashes, banditry, kidnapping, among others. Conflicts like that of the Tiv-Jukun have a long history of occurrence and reoccurrence over periods of time. According to Moti (2010) there has been periodic fighting between the two groups since the late 1950s which resulted to the killing of innocent people.
Despite the high ranking Nigeria in terms consisting of gallant land army, well trained Air Force, Navy, Police and other security agents, Nigeria’s security has been nothing to write home about. It is sad and a matter of concern that Nigeria which has been regarded as the giant of Africa cannot secure the lives and properties of its citizens.
Another security challenge in Nigeria is the herders-famers conflict which mainly involves disputes over land between the Fulani herders and farmers across Nigeria. This crisis is devastating in the Middle Belt and has resulted to the killing of many.
Banditry from inception is one of the major threats to Nigeria’s peace and security. This violence affectS a large number of Nigerians especially those living in states like Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, Sokoto, Kebi and Katsina.
According to Acaps, banditry started when the herders-farmers conflict in 2009 got intensified in 2017-2018. It transcended to cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, sexual violence and killings.
Another threat to Nigeria’s peace is the Boko Haram insurgency which emanated from Borno state and spread across the North-eastern states. Since 2009 when the Boko Haram insurgency came to limelight, it has been estimated that over tens of thousands and over 306,400 people left the comfort zone of their home and are now living as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) spread across different locations within and outside the country. The Boko Haram insurgency which results to killings, abductions and destructions has been a major cause of insecurity in the country and neighbouring countries like Niger, Chad and Cameroon, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) latest update on February 28, 2021.
This has led to uprisings via social media whereby citizens doubt the capabilities of the government as their faith in the security agencies is fading away.
To curb this act of terrorism by the Boko Haram, some youths in Borno state around 2013 established the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF).This group took a bold step and succeeded in chasing and apprehending the bad eggs using weapons like sticks and knives. Their aim is to restore peace in the state at all cost.
There is no doubt that billions of naira have been spent by the Nigerian government to acquire weapons, facilitate the training and cater for the welfare of the security officials who dedicate their lives for the country. There has been a blame shift from one direction to the other, from the public to the government and the security agencies, from government to security agencies and from the security agencies to the government and the public for not complying with the security protocols and providing vital information to the security agencies.
It is high time this blame game ceased. The interest of the government should mainly be on safeguarding the masses. It is high time every individual, group and institution took responsibility so as to work towards the betterment of our dear country. Securing Nigeria is not only a national security, it is everyone’s concern.
The government has the responsibility of motivating the security agencies through the provision of sophisticated weapons and funds for the welfare of the gallant and intelligent security agencies in the country. Likewise, the general public should contribute by supporting the securities with provision of vital information when needed and complying with the security protocols as the security agencies work hard in seeing they bring an end to this threat for all to have Nigeria as a great nation where peace and unity reign.
Cephas Andrawus Amuda,
Department of Mass Communication,
University of Maiduguri
