Combating Rising Insecurity Challenges in Nigeria: An Alternative Approach

Abstract

A Nigerian student studying abroad recently averred that his school abroad nearly disallowed him from returning to Nigeria owing to the security situation of the country. The security situation in the country appears to be deteriorating at the dawn of each day with the citizens of the country in a quagmire as the government is yet to demonstrate her ability to nip this terrible situation in the bud. Kidnapping, armed robbery, boko haram insurgency, land border/communal clashes, farmer—herder conflicts and in recent times, the activities of bandits have become reoccurring headlines. The government and her security agencies have fought these challenges with considerable successes but leaving much to be desired. This paper adopting a qualitative research methodology which is thematic and analytical and also using and interpreting both primary and secondary sources interrogates the security challenges that are prevalent in present day Nigeria and proffers alternative approaches apart from the use of force in tackling them. The paper finds that the various security challenges bedeviling the country have an adverse effect on every sector of the country and her image amongst community of nations. The paper submits that the war against insecurity in Nigeria can be won if the Nigerian government takes into consideration beyond lip service the issues of provision of jobs, investing in quality education, technology advancement and diversifying the nation’s economy through harnessing the myriads of other mineral resources available in the country.