NGO proposes strategies to tackle insecurity in Nigeria

A non-profit organisation, the Initiative for Economic Development Communication has unveiled a report to help address the spate of insecurity in Nigeria.

The report titled “Unravelling Nigeria’s Insecurity crisis: The urgent need for a lasting solution,” recommends regional and international collaboration, humanitarian and conflict resolution, strategic security policy and legal framework, and a problem-specific approach to address the multifaceted nature of insecurity across different regions.

According to a statement signed by the INSDEC Executive Vice president, Ogie Eboigbe and Chief Executive Officer, PSJ-UK, Ayo Adedoyin on Tuesday, the report also calls on the government to recognize and address the underlying causes of insecurity, which stem from failures in governance and leadership.

Ogie lamented the cost of insecurity, explaining that it remains alarmingly high and shows no sign of abating, underscoring the urgent need for targeted measures from all stakeholders to confront and mitigate its impact.

Making recommendations, he stated the need for regional and international collaboration, humanitarian and conflict resolution, strategic security policy and legal framework.

The report said considering the major role of the government in finding lasting solutions to the crisis, it added that the government must recognise and address the underlying causes of insecurity, which stem from failures in governance and leadership.

“It should own the problem and actively work towards reclaiming territories overtaken by insurgents. For too long, the government has acted as an outsider, or a standby observer, as if the problem belonged to the communities alone.

“Amidst unresolved insecurity challenges in the country, the report has examined the intricate complexities of the crisis based on its root causes and called for a problem-specific, or region-specific approach beyond the current military approach,” the statement read.

The report by the Initiative for Economic Development Communication, Lagos and the International Organisation for Peacebuilding and Social Justice (PSJ-UK) proposed other strategies to build a more secure and lasting society.

“In Benue State, suspected Fulani herders who destroyed homes, schools, markets, and health facilities displaced residents from rural communities, forcing them into Internally Displace Persons (IDP) camp, while Imo state continue to record cases of sporadic attacks by ‘unkwown gunmen’, (suspected IPOB separatist), kidnappers and occasionally herdsmen which instil fear and disrupting farming, raising food prices.

“The multifaceted nature of insecurity across different regions necessitates tailored strategies that move beyond simplistic explanations and one-size-fits-all solutions,” the report stated.

While noting that the militaristic approach is insufficient and counter-productive, the report revealed that the strategies have stretched the military’s capabilities, forcing them to engage insurgents of varying types in 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states.