Insecurity in Nigeria is a pressing issue that has drastically affected every aspect of life for citizens and threatens continued stability and progress in the country. The causes are complex with historical, economic, political and social factors all contributing to the problem. The consequences have been devastating and require concerted efforts across all levels of government and society to adequately address.
One of the major drivers of insecurity in Nigeria is the rise of militant groups, especially Boko Haram in the northeast and other terrorist organizations that have capitalized on weak state institutions and widespread poverty and disenfranchisement to flourish. Boko Haram emerged in the early 2000s preaching against Western education and influence but has since morphed into a violent extremist group killing thousands and displacing over 2 million people in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states. Their ability to hold territory for prolonged periods exposed deficiencies in the military’s counterinsurgency capabilities while also radicalizing some unemployed youth. Other groups like the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) have emerged challenging the state’s authority.
The proliferation of small arms from other areas of conflict like Libya and South Sudan have made arms readily available, fueling violence between farmers and herders in Nigeria’s fertile middle belt region over access to land and water. As the scarcity of resources increases due to climate change and population growth, vicious cycles of attacks and reprisals have increased between communities. An estimated 7,000 lives have been lost since 2015 in this conflict. The government’s weak response has been criticized for being complicit and biased, worsening ethnic and religious tensions. Like Boko Haram, these militias prey on the discontent among marginalized youth.
Organized criminal networks are another major menace threatening national stability. Kidnapping for ransom has turned into an established criminal economy in states like Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and others bordering the forests. The lucrative ransoms—said to be in the millions of dollars—act as reinforcement for the trade. Pirates in the oil-rich Niger delta and gunrunners peddling illegal arms across the porous borders also undermine the rule of law. These illicit economies provide alternatives to the lack of viable livelihoods, but exacerbate violence.
Nigeria also has a long history of violent electoral processes and politicization of identity that has nurtured predilections for using force to settle political scores. Incumbents manipulating state resources and security forces to skew results or clamp down on the opposition inflame tensions. This fuels grievances that militant groups exploit. Unemployment, endemic corruption, lack of justice and oppressive policing have also alienated youth, making radicalization an attractive option.
The effects of insecurity in Nigeria have been catastrophic. Tens of thousands of lives have been lost while the UN estimates that violence has displaced over 2.1 million Nigerians internally. Towns and villages have been abandoned in the northeast and central regions. According to World Bank statistics, the number of Nigerians living in extreme poverty has risen from around 80 million in 2014 to over 90 million in 2020, partly due to the economic fallout of the violent conflict. Education has suffered with over 1,500 schools destroyed and hundreds of teachers killed by Boko Haram. Accessing farms and markets is dangerous in many rural areas, worsening already high levels of food insecurity.
The health sector has not been spared either. Health workers and facilities have come under repeated attacks, compromising access to healthcare. Disease outbreaks have also occurred more frequently in crowded displacement camps. Additionally, the physical and psychological toll on victims of violence such as orphans, widows and the disabled is immense. Children displaced from their homes have had their hopes of a productive future disrupted. Trust and social cohesion within and between communities have broken down, as suspicions and vengeance replace tolerance.
The response of successive Nigerian governments to the insecurity crisis has been inadequate. Despite pouring billions of dollars and deploying 150,000 military personnel, security forces lack training, equipment, motivation and public confidence to prevail against shadowy non-state armed groups. Allegations of rampant human rights violations, corruption and sectarianism have further damaged their legitimacy. After initial successes, military offensives have stalled or relapsed. The government has also been criticized for its lack of progress in addressing the root sociopolitical and economic problems fueling radicalization. Neglecting governance and development in the troubled regions compounds grievances instead of giving communities stake in the Nigerian project.
In recent years some steps have been taken towards a more inclusive approach. To confront Boko Haram, President Buhari adopted a multi-national joint task force involving troops from Chad, Cameroon and Niger that dislodged the insurgents from seized territories. Although attacks continue, the combined forces have helped contain the group’s reach. On farmer-herder clashes, convening traditional leaders to restore communication and jointly protecting displaced people signal a shift from indifference. Furthermore, operations such as “Safe Corridor” provide deradicalization, rehabilitation and reintegration for surrendering militants to reduce recruitment bases. Disarmament of civil gazettes has also started, with a view to curbing reckless vigilantes.
Going forward, further policy reforms and synchronization of efforts will be required to turn the tide. Revamping security architecture, inter-agency cooperation and community engagement can boost effectiveness. Addressing poverty, joblessness and lack of opportunities for restive youth through investments in human and economic capital building will undermine terrorist propaganda over time. Ending impunity for violators of human rights through security sector governance is also central to rebuilding trust. Sustainable solutions lie in political restructuring to adequately decentralize power and resources, while fostering national cohesion and inclusive development. With good faith, deterrence of enablers and regional collaboration, Nigeria’s stability can be preserved and the climate of fear reduced. But the state must lead diligently to offer citizens security, justice and prosperity—the dividends of democracy that militant groups exploit the absence of.
The dimensions of Nigeria’s insecurity crisis are immense owing to social, economic and political marginalization which militant gangs have exploited. Reversing the situation demands holistic strategies to strengthen state legitimacy and service delivery while curbing radicalization at its roots. Concerted action from all tiers of government combined with citizen participation hold promise to stabilize the country over time. Without sincere commitment to reform and accountability, the cycle of violence will likely continue undermining national potential. Global partnerships may also assist but ultimate responsibility lies with Nigerian leadership to protect lives and property for the benefit of all within its borders.
Andrew Stroud