Insecurity And National Development

1BACKGROUND OF STUDY 

Several researchers have identified the relationship between security and national development since the end of the cold war (Nwanegbo and Odigbo, 2013:2:45; Chandler, 2007:1:361). They posited that development can never be achieved in any nation characterized with conflicts and war. Insecurity and national development are like Siamese twins because they are inseparable concepts that affect each other. Insecurity is a major drawback to Nigeria’s national development. Several researches before today have tried to juxtapose different reasons for the slow pace of Nigeria’s national development, but little attention have been paid to the importance of security to national development. Security and safety are paramount issues in Nigeria of today. According to Omoyibo and Akpomera (2013:1:132) security is a concept that is prior to the state and that the state exists in order to provide that concept. Security is the state of being protected physically, emotionally, psychologically as well as from other harm, attack, terror which could be considered as non-desirable (Kelechi, 2010:1:1).  Security can be seen as the assurance of the future wellbeing and freedom from threat. It is the paramount responsibility of the state to provide security for its citizens. The 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria specially affirm that “The security of and welfare of the people shall be the paramount function of government”. Regrettably, the government has failed to discharge their duty in this regard.  According to Olukayode and Ese (2014:1:40), the government have failed to provide a secured and safe environment for lives and properties in Nigeria and driven away foreign investors. The high rate of insecurity in Nigeria has led to crime rates and several terrorist attacks in different parts of the nation which has had an adverse effect on Nigeria’s national development. Security represent the instrument set in place to avoid, averting or thwarting violent conflicts, and threats that originate states, non state actors, or structural socio-political and economic condition (Stan, 2004: 1:42). Insecurity could mean absence of safety, hazard, lack of safety and protection, uncertainty and hazard. According to Beland (2005:3:43), insecurity is a state of fear or anxiety due to absence or lack of protection. According to Achumba (2013:1:79) defines insecurity from two perspectives. Firstly, insecurity is the state of being open or subject or risk of danger, where danger or threat of danger, where danger is the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury. Secondly, insecurity is the state of being exposed to risk or anxiety, where anxiety is a vague unpleasant emotion that is experienced in anticipation of some misfortune.

National development is the ability of a country or countries to improve the social welfare of the people such as providing social amenities like quality education, portable water, infrastructural facilities, medical care and so on (Abimbola &Adesote,2012:2:83). Ewetan (2013:1:38) conceptualized national development in terms of progress in three major dimensions in life of a nation. These three dimensions are economic, political and social or moral. The state of insecurity in Nigeria today has served as a backdrop to Nigeria’s national development. Nigeria of today is faced with developmental obstacles like high level of unemployment, rural and urban poverty, and low physical and social infrastructure and massive domestic and foreign debts (Ewetan, 2013:2:41).

The level of insecurity in Nigeria of today is alarming and worrisome due to the persistent level of terrorism, kidnapping and armed robbery. Violent crime has an origin and history in Nigeria, and could be traced from 1960 till 1970 in Nigeria. According to Ewetan and Ese (2014:3:45), insecurity challenges can be traced to the large importation of arms into Nigeria during the civil war period. It was discovered after the civil war that some of the arms used during the Nigerian civil war got into the hands of the civilian and ex military men for unlawful actions that serves as a threat to Nigeria’s security. There was high level of unemployment during the civil war. The rate of insecurity got to the climax during the prolonged years of military rule in Nigeria starting with 1970, when the people purchase arms for personal defense and safety. Some scholars traced the root cause of youth violence to peer group pressure and psychological factor, while some other researchers attribute violence in Nigeria to political and economic factors like ethnic agitation, political agitation, unemployment, Structural Adjustment Programme has been responsible for violence in Nigeria. The insecurity in Nigeria has served as a backdrop to national development. The level of insecurity in Nigeria needs to be addressed because of its adverse effects on Nigeria’s national development. This research study seeks to examine the significant issue of insecurity and its implication for Nigeria’s National development.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The failure of government to provide for a secure and safe environment for lives and properties and the running of business and other economic activities has created anger and hostility among the tribal groups (Ewetan & Ese, 2014:1; 46).  This has led to ethnic violence, religious violence, and communal clashes in several parts of the nation and has resulted into the destruction of lives and properties, hampered business and economic activities, and has also stunted economic growth and development of Nigeria. According to Ogege Sam Omadjohwoefe (2013:1:82), Nigeria as a nation is faced with complex security obstacles which include ethnic crises, assassination, militancy, kidnapping and terrorism. There are several unlawful groups in Nigeria posing as a threat to Nigeria’s national security like the militancy groups, terrorist groups and armed robbers etc.  According to Ogbonnaya and Ehiagamusoen (2013:2:8), in 1998, the Niger Delta region was characterized with anarchy, were communities often engaged with slight provocation, in destructive inter and intra community conflict. The conflict in the Niger Delta region appeared in several ways like kidnapping of oil expatriates, frequent disruption of oil production activities through the vandalization of oil and gas installations and facilities. There several important and famous militant groups operating in the area like, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF) led by Alhaji Asari Dokubo, the Niger Delta Vigilante Force (NDVF) led by Ateke Tom, Movement Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) led by Henry Okah.

These various militancy groups have carried out fatal and paralyzing attacks on oil and gas facilities with their various arms and ammunitions. For instance, on March 16, 2003, Shell Petroleum Development Corporation (SPDC), evacuate withdrew its important staff from its facilities in Warri and shut down oil production. On July 12, 2006, four naval personnel were killed and three soldiers were injured by Movement Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) fighters while escorting a Chevron oil tanker along Chomoni creeks in the Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State (The Punch, July13, 2006). There was also an incident were the Niger Delta Vigilante Force (NDVF) attacked two police stations and s five star hotel in Port Harcourt. The Movement Emancipation of Niger Delta also claimed responsibility for the bomb blast on Eagle Square in Abuja on October 1, 2010 (Ogbonnaya and Ehigiamusoe, 2013:2:9). Kidnapping is also a threat to human capital development in Nigeria of today. People are kidnapped at work, school and home as they try to develop their human capital base. According to Kelechi (2010:2:8), there was a case when 15 school children were abducted in Aba at Abia State. It raised serious concern both within and outside Nigeria. The abductors demanded for a huge ransom ranging from 20-40 million naira. Women protested half naked, the Aba market; bank was closed down for days, the leaders in the Anglican Church at Enugu also protested over the appalling effect of kidnapping on human capital development in Nigeria. 

The Boko Haram crisis has posed a greater security challenge to Nigeria’s growth and national development, most especially in the northern-eastern part of the country. The Boko Haram crisis emerged in Bauch State on July 26, 2009 and has caused severe havoc in many parts of Nigeria, especially in the North. According to Ogbonnaya and Ehigiamusoe (2013:1:9), several attacks have from the lawless Islamic sect have been targeted at the state, institutions and the civilian population. Several police stations have been attacked including the Nigerian Police force quarters located at Abuja, the United Nations, school, government establishments and places of worship have been attacked and places of worship have been attacked and destroyed in different parts of the federation. Omadjohwoefe (2013:3:84-85), on December 25, 2011, St, Theresa’s Catholic Church, Mandalla was bombed by the lawless Islamic sect, killing over 46 people. On January 21, 2012, multiple bomb blast rocked Kano city, claiming 185 lives. On March 8, 2012, an Italian expatriate named Franco Lamolinara and a British expatriate named Christopher McManus who were employees of Stabilim Visioni Construction Firm were abdicated in 2011 by a splinter group of Boko Haram and were later killed. In February 18, 2013, a suicide bomber attacked a bus station in Kano occupied majorly by Christians, killing 41 lives and injuring others. The latest action by the lawless Islamic group that drew the attention of the whole world was the abduction of over 250 Government Secondary School girls, Chibok, in April 14, 2014 at Borno State. The girls are yet to be rescued till this day. This research study will make an attempt to study the reason why insecurity has stunted the growth and development of the Nigerian economy. These raises the questions-

1. Has insecurity negatively impacted on Nigeria’s national development?
2. Has the government played a significant role in curbing insecurity in Nigeria?

3. Would the curbing of insecurity in Nigeria increase the rate of national development?
4. What are the measures to adopt to eradicate insecurity in Nigeria?nd National Development