Insecurity: Is state policing the only solution?

The much agitated issue of state policing in Nigeria was eventually laid to rest by the executive arm of the government recently. Before this time, there had been arguments on both sides – some argued for the establishment of the state policing while others argued against this move. There is no doubt that all parties (either for or against) have one thing in common and that is, the interest of Nigeria and the people at heart. This is a healthy discussion of national interest. And not only that, it is also a positive indicator of some sort; that of general consensus vis-à-vis the dearth of security in Nigeria. The indicators are quite prominent, and the need to quickly respond to the situation cannot be overemphasised. Since the primary responsibility of any responsible government is to ensure adequate security for its citizens and their property, the Nigerian government has responded positively in moving in the right direction to addressing the prevailing issues associated with the failing security in the country. Hence, the entire security architecture of the country must be reassessed in order to be able to tightly fasten the loose ends before the situation gets out of hand.

Everywhere in the world, there has been undeniable agitation to raise the ‘premonitory bar’ vis-à-vis the current global security situation. And no country is an exception. For example, in January 2019, over 20 people were killed in a terrorist attack on a luxury hotel and office complex in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. This was a premediated attack by a terrorist group that has disrupted the peace of that society for quite some time now. The Kenyan authorities implored the citizens and the general public to adopt a higher level of vigilance and to report any suspicious people or activity without wasting time. Of recent, the United Kingdom decided to raise its threat level and proclaimed the need to also put its personnel and their families in certain countries on an increased state of alert. Generally, nations of the world are being very proactive by creating more awareness regarding security and safety of their citizens. As a part of its security measure, the American Embassy in Nigeria recently suspended its drop-box visa application procedure in which case all applicants would now have to go through the interview process before visa issuance. All these and much more are parts of the increased global consciousness exercised by countries in order to fortify their security architectures and mitigate risk more especially as it relates to border control.

Nigeria as a country has had its fair share of security challenges – the prevailing security situation is enormous; terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, religious violence, banditry and herdsmen killings to highlight a few. Nigeria has consistently ranked low in the Global Peace Index, signifying a worsened state of insecurity in the country. Hence, challenges of insecurity have assumed formidable dimensions and, the government of the day has the sole responsibility of ensuring that the entire social space is safe and secure for economic activities as well as social interactions among the people. Security of lives and property should top the agenda of a government of the people, by the people and for the people; in the event that this has not seemingly been the case, the electorate have the right to demand accountability from their elected leaders.

In 2009, Boko Haram emerged from northeastern Nigeria, and it is estimated that tens of thousands have been killed and over 2.3 million people have been displaced from their homes by this terror group. According to the Global Terrorism Index of 2015, Boko Haram was ranked as the world’s deadliest terror group. Yet, Nigeria military battles on with Boko Haram till date; no one knows when the war against the deadly terror group may be totally and finally won.

Moreover, kidnapping emerged as a result of militancy in the Niger Delta area; the agitation of the locals who felt neglected and also because of the environmental degradation due to oil exploration, making their farmlands highly toxic and unsuitable for farming, which is their most common practice. This was said to be a major factor. The foreign oil workers (the expatriates) were mostly the initial targets, and money was demanded as ransoms (and sometimes in millions and in hard currencies). This soon became a ‘lucrative business’ in the criminal circles in Nigeria as it is far easier and quicker to make more money through kidnapping than through armed robbery. And of course, the low risk factor makes it an attraction for idle youths who now see kidnapping as a means of making quick money. The Nigerian society now lives in constant fear as targets are not only the expatriates but also the ordinary members of the society. There have been numerous reported cases of random people of low status being kidnapped and many of who were reportedly killed due to inability of their family members to meet the impossible demands of their captors.

The Fulani herdsmen are nomads who are apparently known for cattle rearing. They are predominantly from the northern region of Nigeria, but are largely located in the Sahel and semi-arid parts of West Africa, but due to relatively recent changes in climate patterns, many herdsmen have moved further South into the Savannah and tropical forest belt of West Africa. They are known for communal style of living- most times forming clusters. Fulani herdsmen engage in both random and planned transhumance movements. A primary reason for this migratory nature of the herdsmen is to reach areas with abundant grass and water for their cattle.

The much agitated issue of state policing in Nigeria was eventually laid to rest by the executive arm of the government recently. Before this time, there had been arguments on both sides – some argued for the establishment of the state policing while others argued against this move. There is no doubt that all parties (either for or against) have one thing in common and that is, the interest of Nigeria and the people at heart. This is a healthy discussion of national interest. And not only that, it is also a positive indicator of some sort; that of general consensus vis-à-vis the dearth of security in Nigeria. The indicators are quite prominent, and the need to quickly respond to the situation cannot be overemphasised. Since the primary responsibility of any responsible government is to ensure adequate security for its citizens and their property, the Nigerian government has responded positively in moving in the right direction to addressing the prevailing issues associated with the failing security in the country. Hence, the entire security architecture of the country must be reassessed in order to be able to tightly fasten the loose ends before the situation gets out of hand.

Everywhere in the world, there has been undeniable agitation to raise the ‘premonitory bar’ vis-à-vis the current global security situation. And no country is an exception. For example, in January 2019, over 20 people were killed in a terrorist attack on a luxury hotel and office complex in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. This was a premediated attack by a terrorist group that has disrupted the peace of that society for quite some time now. The Kenyan authorities implored the citizens and the general public to adopt a higher level of vigilance and to report any suspicious people or activity without wasting time. Of recent, the United Kingdom decided to raise its threat level and proclaimed the need to also put its personnel and their families in certain countries on an increased state of alert. Generally, nations of the world are being very proactive by creating more awareness regarding security and safety of their citizens. As a part of its security measure, the American Embassy in Nigeria recently suspended its drop-box visa application procedure in which case all applicants would now have to go through the interview process before visa issuance. All these and much more are parts of the increased global consciousness exercised by countries in order to fortify their security architectures and mitigate risk more especially as it relates to border control.

Nigeria as a country has had its fair share of security challenges – the prevailing security situation is enormous; terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, religious violence, banditry and herdsmen killings to highlight a few. Nigeria has consistently ranked low in the Global Peace Index, signifying a worsened state of insecurity in the country. Hence, challenges of insecurity have assumed formidable dimensions and, the government of the day has the sole responsibility of ensuring that the entire social space is safe and secure for economic activities as well as social interactions among the people. Security of lives and property should top the agenda of a government of the people, by the people and for the people; in the event that this has not seemingly been the case, the electorate have the right to demand accountability from their elected leaders.

In 2009, Boko Haram emerged from northeastern Nigeria, and it is estimated that tens of thousands have been killed and over 2.3 million people have been displaced from their homes by this terror group. According to the Global Terrorism Index of 2015, Boko Haram was ranked as the world’s deadliest terror group. Yet, Nigeria military battles on with Boko Haram till date; no one knows when the war against the deadly terror group may be totally and finally won.

Moreover, kidnapping emerged as a result of militancy in the Niger Delta area; the agitation of the locals who felt neglected and also because of the environmental degradation due to oil exploration, making their farmlands highly toxic and unsuitable for farming, which is their most common practice. This was said to be a major factor. The foreign oil workers (the expatriates) were mostly the initial targets, and money was demanded as ransoms (and sometimes in millions and in hard currencies). This soon became a ‘lucrative business’ in the criminal circles in Nigeria as it is far easier and quicker to make more money through kidnapping than through armed robbery. And of course, the low risk factor makes it an attraction for idle youths who now see kidnapping as a means of making quick money. The Nigerian society now lives in constant fear as targets are not only the expatriates but also the ordinary members of the society. There have been numerous reported cases of random people of low status being kidnapped and many of who were reportedly killed due to inability of their family members to meet the impossible demands of their captors.

The Fulani herdsmen are nomads who are apparently known for cattle rearing. They are predominantly from the northern region of Nigeria, but are largely located in the Sahel and semi-arid parts of West Africa, but due to relatively recent changes in climate patterns, many herdsmen have moved further South into the Savannah and tropical forest belt of West Africa. They are known for communal style of living- most times forming clusters. Fulani herdsmen engage in both random and planned transhumance movements. A primary reason for this migratory nature of the herdsmen is to reach areas with abundant grass and water for their cattle.