Insecurity in Nigeria: Causes and Solution

Abstract

Nigeria in recent times has recorded unprecedented security challenges such as Boko Haram Terrorists attacks, militancy, armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, Fulani- Herders farmers clash, cultism among other social vices. These security threats not only undermine national stability and the rule of law but also have adverse effects on the economy, affecting price, output, employment, trade balance and so on. It has turned into an unending challenges, not only by defying security procedures but making scorn of the efforts of the law enforcement agents and the millions of naira annually budgeted by the government as security votes. Data were generated via the internet, library and other documented materials relevant to the study. This study anchoring on social realism, examines the rising insecurity in Nigeria with causes and solutions to it. The finding revealed that the causes of insecurity are the menace of unemployment and poverty, elite exploitation of ethnicity and religious differences, corruption, weak security apparatus, porous border, marginalization and inequality in the country, bad governance and poor leadership. The study, therefore, recommended that Government need to take the business of governance seriously and redress issues bothering on injustices, victimization, marginalization and also create a safe and enabling environment for investments which will step up industrialization and sustainable development thereby enhancing the livelihoods of the greatest numbers of its citizens.