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SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS (SALWs) PROLIFERATION AND ESCALATING THREAT OF BANDITRY IN NORTHWEST NIGERIA
Get PDFThis study examines the extent to which small arms and light weapons (SALWs) proliferation contributes to the escalating insecurity in North Western Nigeria. The methodology of this study is based on information generated from primary and secondary sources and analysed through the qualitative method. The power elite theory was adopted in this study to substantiate the literature and the findings. The study reveals that the Northwest has become saturated with various calibres of sophisticated SALWs which has enabled bandit groups to carry out atrocities against unarmed civilian communities and government targets. The study also revealed that the impact of SALWs proliferation and banditry on human lives in the region has expanded over the years. It was recommended that an urgent move should be made by the government to contain the flow of SALWs; there should be a coordinated synergy and cooperation among various security formations, and there should be proper engagement with the border communities for efficient intelligence gathering and sharing. The provision of technology-driven facilities would enhance the performance of security agents to eliminate the flow of arms and contain armed banditry in the Northwest
NATIONAL SECURITY: AN ASSESSMENT OF CONCEPTS, STRUCTURES, AND PLANS
Get PDFThe essence of national security is to have peace. Thus, peace is considered the opposite of war or conflict. This study admonishes state leadership to take into consideration structural forms of violence such as poverty, exclusion oppression, humiliation and other types of socio-psychological pressures, which though not manifested in physical violence threaten the well-being and security of people. Therefore, it would be wrong to classify a country experiencing pervasive violence as peaceful or secure. It would also be wrong to say that there is peace and security in a country where ordinary people are daily brutalized by the rich and powerful. Thus, it is possible not to have peace even though there is no war. Be that as it may, the essence of national security structure and strategy is having a secure country. This is the leviathan of Nigeria and all other Westphalia states. Thus, the task of this paper is to engage with the concept of national security, structures, and plans, and to assess Nigerian security strategy before and under President Buhari. 
THE IMPACT OF DIGITALISATION ON CITIZENSHIP IN NIGERIA
Get PDFThe evolution from social citizenship to digital citizenship is one of the ongoing big events of the 21st-century digital revolution. Studies have been concerned with how this evolution influences activities like audience participation, business, health, education, and even everyday life. There are gaps in the literature that have led to different studies about social citizenship and digital citizenship. This study is particularly concerned with breaking down the concept of citizenship in the face of the evolution from social citizenship to digital citizenship, using the qualitative research method. The study uses the technological convergence theory to anchor the ideas within. The study found that digital technology has brought about the democratization of the media by creating channels for participants to get involved in narrative[1]changing discussions. The recommendations are that present, as well as prospective users of digital technology, must acquire all the viable skills needed for active participation in the digital space; and also, certain conditions must be met before the evolution from social citizenship to digital citizenship can go full circle to reach its full potential
ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF THE CONTEMPORARY SECURITY CRISIS IN NIGERIA
Get PDFThis article theoretically reviewed the role of psychological capital and emotional intelligence in the effective management of the contemporary security crisis in Nigeria. It considered psychological capital as a core construct consisting of the positive psychological resources of self[1]efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience. Similarly, emotional intelligence was also considered as the second psychological factor, which is sacrosanct in curbing the current trend of insurgency in Nigeria. Based on the literature and theories reviewed, this article concluded that the psychological conditions of citizens need adequate consideration by the policymakers and the executive arm of the government and hence, suggested systematic intervention processes of desensitization and reorientation of Nigerians
THE IMPLICATIONS OF NATURAL RESOURCE GOVERNANCE ON COMMUNITY PEACE AND SECURITY IN NIGERIA
Get PDFIn recent times, human communities in Nigeria have come under severe violent attacks by terrorists, violent extremists, and criminal groups bearing a number of taxonomy, such as unknown gunmen, terrorists, armed herdsmen, bandits, violent separatists, militants, cultists, etc. The array of violent attacks on communities has resulted in the wanton loss of lives, destruction of properties and public amenities, forced displacements, disruption of communal and family lives, and dislocation. At the core of these peace and security threats are struggles and contestations over access and control over natural resources, especially land, water, crude oil, forest, natural gas, precious metals, mineral, rocks, wind, power, solar energy, and animal resources. Although the most pronounced natural resource-related peace and security threats are connected to mineral resources, such as the Niger[1]Delta militancy and allegedly the armed banditry in the northwest geopolitical zone, the farm-herder violence, as well as the spiral insecurities across communities, relate to water, land, forest and animal resources. This article uses content analysis of secondary data on natural resource governance and community peace and security in finding that because most of the natural resources are located within communities, they expose them to violent conflict and insecurity incidents. It finds that the existing governance framework is not only state-centric and repressive but alienates the communities by employing extraneous and aligned approaches, thereby leading to the intractable nature of the conflict situation. It recommends that natural resource governance be context-specific, people-driven, and peace and security sensitive
BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY AND THE CHALLENGES OF ONLINE TERRORISM IN NIGERIA
Get PDFThe Boko Haram terrorist group is one of the major threats to peace and security in Nigeria. Since 2015, the group seemed to have altered its modus Operandi and modus vivendi in favour of online communication platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. This study therefore examines issues and challenges faced by the government in the management of the use of Online Media by the terrorist group in the propagation of its extremist ideology. It also examines its implications for national security. Using secondary sources and descriptive narrative analysis, the study shows that the online space in Nigeria is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it is a veritable tool for social and economic development; on the other, it is an avenue for indoctrination and radicalization by violent extremist groups. With over 104 million active internet users in 2021, the paper argues that the online space in the country is not properly monitored. It, therefore, recommends collaboration with members of the international communities and international security organizations to tap from their experiences
THE ROLE OF THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT IN ADDRESSING IRREGULAR MIGRATION
Get PDFIrregular migration is a major issue in Nigeria with thousands of Nigerians leaving the country each year without proper authorization or documentation, exposing them to various human security risks such as exploitation, trafficking, and abuse. The Nigerian government plays a crucial role in addressing irregular migration and promoting human security. However, policies aimed at reducing irregular migration can exacerbate the risks faced by migrants. This paper uses the human security theory to assess what the government is doing to address irregular migration and its effects on Nigerian citizens. The study found that there is a strong nexus between irregular migration and human security, with factors such as poverty, terrorism, human rights violations, and bad governance pushing people to migrate irregularly. The study recommends that the government should adopt policies that address the root causes of irregular migration and promote the dignity and safety of migrants
‘POURING ACROSS BORDERS’: FALSE EUROPE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF RETURN IN IFEANYI AJAEGBO’S TENT 59
Get PDFNigerians are leaving the country in large numbers due to the increasingly harsh socio-economic and political situation, insecurity, and various other reasons. They leave with the illusory notion that things are better in Western countries. This paper explores the skewed notions by many Nigerians that migrating to Europe offers a way out of poverty for them and their loved ones. This paper aims to demonstrate through the experiences of the characters in Ifeanyi Ajaegbo’s Tent 59 that socio-political and immigration factors often constitute barriers to the attainment of a better life in the West by many African migrants. The paper draws from some postcolonial concepts like otherness, and marginality and also, Paul Gilroy’s postcolonial concepts of melancholia and conviviality to examine Ajaegbo’s novel. This paper concludes that leaving Nigeria for the West in search of a better life is not as easy as many Nigerians often imagine
POLITICIZATION OF RELIGION IN NIGERIA: A THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY
Get PDFThe politicization of religion poses a significant threat to national security this is because of the violence that follows it. The paper argues that religious politicization tends to create disaffection among the people, especially in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society like Nigeria. The motivation for this study is borne out of the emotional attachment various religious groups have in defence of their faith. It posits that inadvertently religion is a major factor considered by electorates in their choice of candidates in an election or for political leadership. Christian south would want to vote for a candidate from the region while the Muslim north would prefer a Muslim candidate. Therefore, religion has become an instrument for the polarization of the country instead of unifying the country. Religion is used consciously or unconsciously for the selfish interest of political leaders even when some of them are not strong in propagating their faith. They only find it convenient to use religion to capture political power. The paper argues that the politicization of religion in Nigeria is a negation of the principle of secularity as entrenched in the Constitution. This paper, therefore, offers a new perspective to analyze the politicization of religion and the threats it poses to national security. The method adopted is a pure analysis of the threats posed by the politicization of religion and reviewing extant literature. Secularity and securitization theoretical framework are employed as they are discursive to give insight into the political process