NIGERIA, a country that once boasted of thriving communities, diverse cultures and strong family ties, now faces a security crisis of monumental proportion. Indeed, the country has seen an alarming rise in insecurity. What began as isolated incidents of violence has grown into a nationwide crisis. From banditry to terrorism, kidnapping and armed robbery, no region seems immune from the scourge of insecurity. Even rural areas, once considered safe havens, are now under siege by criminal elements, with villages and towns over run by bandits, cult groups, trigger-happy vigilantes and political agents.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populated country. It is affected by persistent inner turmoil based on overlapping ethnic, religious, political and regional divisions. This can be attributed to several interconnected factors, including poverty, unemployment, and social unrest. Desperate individuals, often without sustainable means of livelihood, resort to criminal activities, thereby exacerbating the situation. In recent years, Nigeria has grappled with escalating violence from various groups, most notably Boko Haram and ISIS-affiliated factions in the northeast, armed bandits and kidnapping in the northwest, unknown gunmen and kidnapping in the South East and ethnic conflicts in the middle belt. According to the Global Peace Index, Nigeria ranks among the least peaceful countries in the world. The Nigerian security forces, despite their efforts, have struggled to contain the rising tide of violence, primarily due to limited resources, personnel shortages, and a lack of comprehensive strategies that incorporate grassroots input.
The socioeconomic conditions fostering crime remain largely unaddressed, even as security measures seem to yield little more than fleeting respite. In response to the intolerable state of insecurity, the Nigerian government has allocated billions of naira towards enhancing security forces. However, this leaders’ commitment has often yielded little more than an illusion of safety.
Rather than achieving meaningful improvements, excessive spending often resulted in a false sense of safety. This has led to a situation where people are left feeling vulnerable and unsure of their safety and also it has diverted resources away from other important areas, such as education, healthcare, and economic development. Roads that were once thrumming with businesses have
turned desolate, as people are afraid to travel or transport goods. Agricultural sectors have suffered as farmers abandon their fields to avoid kidnappers and armed groups. Markets that once served as bustling centers of commerce have dwindled into shadows of their former selves. As investors become hesitant to set up shops in an unstable environment, the economy feels the repercussions of insecurity in the form of unemployment and inflation. This has had a negative impact on the overall well-being of citizens, who are not only feeling less safe but also facing challenges in accessing basic services and opportunities.
As insecurity has deepened, the demarcation between legitimate security forces and armed criminals has become increasingly murky. The widespread availability of illegal firearms further exacerbates this issue. Anyone, from gang members to self-styled vigilantes, can brandish weapons, leading to chaos where armed individuals roam freely-often indistinguishable from law enforcement officials. Desperate for protection, communities have turned to forming their vigilante groups. While these individuals often have good intentions and serve as the first line of defense, their actions can result in unintended violence. They operate outside the law, which poses a significant risk of misuse of power, unchecked violence, and potential clashes with legitimate security forces. Local vigilantes may lack proper training in conflict resolution, rules of engagement, or even basic human rights principles. When community members take the law into their own hands without a framework for accountability, it can lead to tragic outcomes-such as wrongful accusations or violence against perceived threats.
Stark disparities characterize the safety landscape in Nigeria. A growing perception exists that only those with financial means can secure their safety, thanks to the increasing dependence on private security services. The wealthier segments of society enhance their protection through private escorts, elite security firms, or connections with local police forces, effectively insulating
themselves from the troubles that plague poorer communities. This growing divide raises broader questions about social equity, justice, and the very essence of the state’s role in safeguarding its citizens. What happens when a significant portion of the population no longer trusts government institutions to provide safety? This disparity feeds further resentment, turning ordinary citizens against each other and widening the divide between classes. The unfortunate reality is that millions of Nigerians are now compelled to supplement inadequate state protection with self-protective measures. Some neighborhood groups take initiatives like community watch programs, bringing residents together in informal alliances to guard against threats. However, some of these efforts may inadvertently lead to vigilantism, creating cycles of violence and distrust rather than fostering community safety.
Nigeria’s inability to secure its own people, goods, and services is affecting its reputation on the global landscape. This lack of control has contributed to international embarrassment, such as the recent situation with Niger Republic, when the President issued a warning for the country to restore democracy, they dismissed it outright, showing a lack of respect for Nigeria’s authority. A country that cannot secure its citizens cannot command global respect.
With formal security structures failing, it is time to revisit traditional security practices that have protected communities for centuries known as “Operation know your Neighbor”. This approach emphasizes community involvement in safeguarding lives and property. It is a system built on mutual trust, accountability, and vigilance, where residents take an active role in monitoring their surroundings. It is based on the understanding that no criminal operates in isolation-every bandit, kidnapper, and armed robber is somebody’s neighbor, relative, or acquaintance. By strengthening community vigilance, we can create an environment where crime becomes more difficult to sustain. Just as what happened over fifty years ago, I had attained a fairly senior position in my multinational organization, reaching the position of Assistant Project Manager. I moved from a one-room studio in Surulere to a more spacious room-and-parlor apartment in Ilupeju, a suburb outside central Lagos. As I was on track to becoming a full manager in the multinational construction firm Costain West Africa, I decided it was time to build my own house in my hometown, Akwukwu-Igbo, then part of Bendel State.
Determined to make this dream a reality, I dedicated a portion of my salary each month to purchasing building materials. Cement was the final item I secured before starting the foundation work, which I had arranged on a direct contract basis. With no security personnel or fencing around the site, the cement was simply covered with a tarpaulin. In our closely-knit community, theft was rare, as everyone looked out for one another’s property. There was no police station nearby- the closest one was an hour’s drive away and no prisons or cult activities in the area.
One evening, a middle-aged man, unknown to me, visited my construction site and took a bag of cement, a passerby witnessed the act and promptly reported it to the Regent. That same night, the Regent gathered a small council of chiefs and summoned the man for questioning. In his defense, he claimed that he had taken the cement to repair floor cracks in his house and had intended to inform me on my next visit.
However, since he had taken the cement before seeking permission, he was sentenced to serve as a watchman at my construction site, guarding it day and night until my return. When I eventually arrived at the site, I was surprised to find the so-called “cement thief” camped there. He faithfully stayed for eight days, with his family bringing him food twice a day.
He narrated the entire incident to me, and after hearing his story, I asked him to leave and not steal again.
However, my decision did not sit well with the Regent and council of chiefs. I was summoned to the palace and reprimanded for dismissing the thief without consulting them. As a consequence, I was fined a she-goat and six cartons of beer. In an unexpected turn, the man and I became friends.
He even offered to replace the stolen cement and continued visiting the site until the house was completed.
Back then, the security of our community and the protection of property were the collective responsibility of the people. Before the arrival of police stations and prisons, we relied on a shared sense of accountability and justice to maintain order- a system that, despite its informality, ensured peace and harmony in our town.
To be continued next week……………….
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