Featured
By Augustine Idiagbon
NIGERIA’S prolonged insecurity crisis continues to challenge governments at all levels, with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, child abductions and communal conflicts threatening lives, livelihoods and national development.
Despite increased defence spending, security operations and policy interventions, attacks persist across several parts of the country, prompting renewed debate among scholars, security experts, environmentalists, media practitioners, civil society advocates and public commentators on sustainable solutions.
A common thread running through their recommendations is the need for a holistic approach that combines military action, intelligence gathering, social development, justice sector reforms, technology, psychological support and community participation.
For Prof. Philip Ujomu of the Department of Philosophy, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, insecurity is fundamentally the failure of the state to guarantee the protection of lives, property and human dignity.
According to him, addressing the challenge requires an understanding of both its immediate manifestations and its underlying causes.
Ujomu identifies two traditional approaches to security management.
The first is the hard approach, which relies on military operations, law enforcement activities, intelligence gathering, arrests and prosecution of offenders.
The second is the soft approach, which seeks to tackle the social, economic and political conditions that fuel insecurity.
He argues that poverty, unemployment, poor education, social exclusion and weak governance often create fertile grounds for criminality and violent extremism.
To address these factors, he advocates investments in education, healthcare, employment, infrastructure, social welfare and community development.
The philosopher, however, believes that neither approach can independently solve Nigeria’s security challenges.
Instead, he recommends a hybrid model that combines robust security operations with social development programmes, governance reforms and community engagement.
According to him, the state must not only confront armed groups directly but also dismantle the networks that finance, recruit, train and equip them.
He further stresses the importance of strengthening the criminal justice system through effective investigations, speedy prosecution and implementation of lawful sanctions.
Ujomu also highlights the role of research and evidence-based policymaking in security management.
He says policymakers must understand the causes, patterns and dynamics of insecurity through data-driven intelligence, academic research and continuous policy evaluation.
Beyond government efforts, he advocates active participation by traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media and ordinary citizens.
He describes security as a collective responsibility that requires synergy among all stakeholders.
Similarly, environmentalist and criminal intelligence expert, Philip Jakpor, attributes the persistence of insecurity largely to corruption and poor management of resources allocated to security.
Jakpor notes that Nigeria spends substantial amounts annually on defence, while state governments receive security votes, yet the investments have not translated into adequate protection for citizens.
He argues that strong political will is required to combat corruption within the security architecture and identify individuals who collaborate with terrorists or leak sensitive information.
According to him, eliminating insider threats and sympathisers within government and security institutions is critical to winning the fight against insecurity.
Jakpor also advocates state policing and community-based security structures that can complement federal security agencies.
He says modern security management requires effective coordination among agencies and the deployment of technology-driven solutions.
Such technologies, he says, include surveillance drones, satellite monitoring systems and intelligence tools capable of detecting threats before they materialise.
He believes that better remuneration and welfare packages for security personnel would improve morale and enhance operational effectiveness.
For Edwin Nwachukwu, Editor and Publisher of 108Scoop.com, the continued deterioration of security despite military and non-military interventions has generated frustration among citizens.
Nwachukwu examines the issue from a socio-cultural perspective, noting that traditional beliefs and claims of supernatural powers remain influential in many communities.
He observes that some Nigerians have questioned why traditionalists, occult groups and individuals reputed to possess extraordinary powers have not contributed meaningfully to efforts aimed at locating abducted persons or combating insecurity.
While acknowledging that such claims are rooted in cultural beliefs and traditions, Nwachukwu notes that the debate reflects the level of public frustration over the inability to end kidnappings, terrorism and bandit attacks.
He, however, maintains that insecurity remains a practical governance challenge that must be addressed through effective law enforcement, intelligence operations and public policy rather than reliance on supernatural interventions.
Public commentator, Abano Raymond, offers a two-layer explanation of insecurity in Nigeria.
According to him, the first layer consists of the direct perpetrators of crimes such as kidnapping, terrorism, cattle rustling and banditry, while the second layer comprises sponsors and financiers who sustain criminal networks.
Raymond argues that multidimensional poverty remains a major driver of recruitment into criminal organisations.
He says many communities affected by insecurity suffer from inadequate infrastructure, poor education, unemployment and limited economic opportunities.
Drawing from his experience working with agricultural communities, he notes that many young people in vulnerable areas become susceptible to recruitment by criminal groups because they lack sustainable means of livelihood.
He therefore advocates long-term poverty reduction strategies centred on job creation, rural development and economic empowerment.
According to him, creating viable alternatives for youths would significantly reduce criminal recruitment and weaken the operational capacity of terrorist and bandit groups.
Raymond also draws attention to widespread drug abuse in communities affected by insecurity.
He says many violent actors operate under the influence of drugs and other hard substances supplied through criminal networks.
Consequently, he calls for stronger measures to curb drug trafficking and substance abuse.
While recognising the socio-economic roots of insecurity, Raymond insists that poverty cannot justify criminal conduct.
He therefore advocates stricter enforcement of laws and severe punishments for sponsors and financiers of terrorism and kidnapping.
According to him, decisive prosecution and visible punishment of high-profile offenders would strengthen deterrence and public confidence in the justice system.
He also recommends the deployment of modern technology for early warning systems, threat detection and rapid response operations in vulnerable communities.
Adding another dimension to the discourse, Mrs. Vivian Ifeoma Emesowum, Executive Director of the Grassroot People and Gender Development Center, draws attention to the psychological consequences of insecurity and child abductions on Nigerian families.
Speaking from what she describes as a concerned mother’s perspective, Emesowum says the growing wave of kidnappings and child abductions has created a climate of fear and uncertainty among parents across the country.
According to her, millions of Nigerian parents now live with the daily anxiety of wondering whether their children will return home safely from school, social gatherings or routine activities.
She notes that the psychological burden extends beyond parents to children themselves, many of whom are exposed to frightening stories of abductions through conversations, social media and news reports.
“The emotional impact of insecurity is enormous. Many mothers live with constant worry, stress and fear. Some struggle to sleep peacefully, while others experience anxiety whenever their children are out of sight,” she says.
Emesowum warns that prolonged exposure to fear can affect children’s emotional well-being, confidence, academic performance and overall development.
To cope with the situation, she advises parents to remain vigilant without becoming overwhelmed by panic.
According to her, maintaining open communication with children, teaching basic safety measures and creating supportive home environments can help families build resilience during difficult times.
She also emphasises the importance of community support systems, urging neighbours, schools, religious institutions, community leaders and child protection organisations to work together in safeguarding children and supporting affected families.
However, Emesowum cautions that psychological adjustment should not be interpreted as acceptance of insecurity.
“Parents should not have to normalise fear, and children should not grow up believing that abduction and insecurity are inevitable parts of life,” she says.
She argues that the persistence of insecurity raises fundamental questions about governance and public accountability.
According to her, many parents perceive the inability to adequately protect children and communities as a painful disconnect between those entrusted with leadership and the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
Emesowum therefore calls on government at all levels to strengthen security systems, improve the protection of schools and communities, provide support for victims and demonstrate greater commitment to safeguarding lives.
She maintains that while mothers will continue to nurture resilient families and support their children, they will also continue to demand a society where children can learn, play and pursue their aspirations without fear.
“The safety of our children is not a privilege; it is their fundamental right. Protecting that right remains a responsibility that government and society must never neglect,” she says.
Across the various perspectives, several points of convergence emerge.
Most of the experts agree that military action alone cannot resolve Nigeria’s security crisis.
They also agree that poverty, unemployment, weak institutions, corruption and governance failures contribute significantly to insecurity.
Similarly, there is consensus on the need for stronger intelligence gathering, improved coordination among security agencies, technological innovation, psychological support systems and greater community involvement.
Another recurring theme is accountability.
Whether in relation to security funding, intelligence failures, judicial processes or political leadership, the experts stress that transparency and responsibility are essential to achieving lasting security.
The experts further agree that political leaders must prioritise national security above partisan interests and electoral calculations.
They contend that difficult but necessary decisions must be taken to protect lives and restore public confidence.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with evolving security threats, the views expressed by the experts underscore the complexity of the challenge.
Their recommendations suggest that sustainable peace will require a comprehensive strategy that combines force with development, intelligence with technology, justice with accountability, governance with citizen participation and security interventions with psychological support for affected families.
For many observers, the path to lasting security may ultimately depend on Nigeria’s ability to harmonise these diverse approaches into a coherent national framework capable of addressing both the symptoms and root causes of insecurity.
It is only then can the nation move toward a future where citizens feel protected, families live without fear and children can grow, learn and dream in safety and dignity.
F.O
Tags: Community resilience Hybrid solutions insecurity political will