Amidst unresolved insecurity challenges in the country, a new report has examined the intricate complexities of the crisis based on its root causes and called for a problem-specific or region-specific approach beyond the current military approach.
Titled “Unravelling Nigeria’s Insecurity crisis: The urgent need for a lasting solution,” the report by the Initiative for Economic Development Communication, (INSDEC) Lagos and the International Organisation for Peacebuilding and Social Justice (PSJ-UK) proposes other strategies to build a more secure and lasting society.
In the report's introduction, signed by Executive Vice President, INSDEC, Ogie Eboigbe and Chief Executive Officer, PSJ UK, Ayo Adedoyin noted that while the insecurity crisis in Nigeria may be perceived as a general and pervasive issue, its underlying essence, nature, character and identity differ significantly from one region to the other.
In Benue state, suspected Fulani herders who destroyed homes, schools, markets and health facilities displaced residents from rural communities, forcing them into Internally Displace Persons (IDP) camps, while Imo state continues to record cases of sporadic attacks by "unknown gunmen", (suspected IPOB separatist), kidnappers and occasionally herdsmen which instil fear and disrupting farming, raising food prices.
“The multifaceted nature of insecurity across different regions necessitates tailored strategies that move beyond simplistic explanations and one-size-fits-all solutions,” the report stated.
While noting that the militaristic approach is insufficient and counter-productive, the report reveals that the strategies have stretched the military’s capabilities, forcing them to engage insurgents of varying types in 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states.
The cost of insecurity remains alarmingly high and shows no sign of abating, underscoring the urgent need for targeted measures from all stakeholders to confront and mitigate its impact.
Recommendations of the report included government acknowledgement and ownership, a comprehensive and integrated approach, advanced technological solutions, strengthening security and governance and community as well as state policing initiatives.
It also suggests regional and international collaboration, humanitarian and conflict resolution, strategic security policy and legal framework.
Considering the major role of the government in finding lasting solutions to the crisis, the report stated that the government must recognise and address the underlying causes of insecurity, which stem from failures in governance and leadership.
“It should own the problem and actively work towards reclaiming territories overtaken by insurgents. For too long, the government has acted as an outsider, or a standby observer, as if the problem belonged to the communities alone,” it states.
