Background

Nigeria continues to grapple with security challenges from armed robbery, kidnappings, ritual killings, pipeline vandalisations, communal conflicts, ethnic conflict, religious conflict, insurgency and terrorism. These challenges are often localised in the country’s regions: For instance, terrorism by Boko Haram in the north, and pipeline vandalisations in the Niger Delta.

Past Reform and Achievements

Successive governments of Nigeria have made efforts at achieving security across the country. Actions taken since the beginning of civilian rule in 1999 have included consultations with stakeholders on security imperatives; engagement of community personnel resources in the fight against violence (i.e. JTF community policing); developing multilateral co-operations among security in information sharing and operations; reorganisation of existing security structures for effective operations; retraining of security personnel as well as enhancing their welfare; equipping the security agencies with modern logistics and operational facilities; increasing the number of police stations across the country to improve access by the populace; acquisition of patrol vessels for the Navy; upgrading of the tracking and interception system of the Department of State Security Service; and the deployment of a GSM Tracking and Interception System for the Nigeria Police Force.

The number of crimes reported in the country, a good proxy for the incidence of crime, decreased from 177,271 in 2011 to 9,343 in 2012. Emergency response time has also improved to 15–20 minutes in 2012, from the 23–30 minutes in 2011.

Challenges and Next Steps

A National Policy on Public Security and Safety should be developed and implemented. The capacity of security agencies to tackle the Boko Haram terrorism insurgency should be urgently done. Communities should be engaged to improve intelligence gathering. Religious leaders should be deterred from inciting their members to clashes by appropriate engagement and sanctions. Tighter control should be placed on items that could be used in making improvised explosive devices. More modern technology should be procured for the security agencies. Professionalism should be developed among the security personnel.by cognitive trainings and appropriate disciplinary sanctions. Aerial surveillance equipment should be procured.