Security
By Anthony Isibor
LIYEL Imoke, former Governor of Cross Rivers State says that the persistence of insecurity has continued to limit Nigeria’s ability to fully realize its potential, noting that addressing these challenges will require a multifaceted approach involving better governance, regional cooperation, security sector reforms and sustainable development programmes aimed at tackling the root causes
Speaking on tackling insecurity, electricity power deficit, and transitioning to a digital economy at the ongoing Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, GOCOP annual Conference, Imoke noted that although Nigeria has made tremendous strides in various sectors over the past 25 years, yet the critical issues of insecurity has persisted, limiting the nation’s ability to fully realize its potential.
Presenting data and analysis from the last quarter of the century and offering practical and evidence-based solutions to these challenges, Imoke highlighted how Nigeria can effectively transition to a digital economy that ensures inclusive prosperity for all its citizens.
He said that Nigeria had since 1999 experienced a range of security challenges, including Insurgency (Boko Haram and ISWAP), Banditry and Kidnapping, Ethnic and Communal Clashes, Militancy (Niger Delta), organized crime and piracy, and seperatist agitation in the Southeast among others.
According to him, poverty and unemployment, weak governance and corruption, climate change, and proliferation of small arms are some of the factors that have contributed to insecurity in the country.
Imoke explained that the unemployment rate surged from 6.4% in 2010 to over 33.3% by 2022 and it is close to 40% today.
“Youth unemployment, in particular, has fueled militancy and criminal activities, inconsistent government policies and widespread corruption in the security forces have compromised efforts to maintain law and order, Climate Change: Desertification and water scarcity have intensified farmer-herder conflicts, particularly in the Middle Belt, the spread of illegal firearms has exacerbated violent crime across the country.
“At this juncture I’d like to briefly look at the effort made by successive governments in tackling these challenges, while highlighting some successes and of course significant failures particularly in addressing the root causes and evolving nature of various security threats.
“Some of the successes include, Degradation of Boko Haram’s Territorial Control, Reduction in Niger Delta Militancy, Anti-Piracy Measures, Tackling Separatist Agitation, Advances in Technology and Intelligence Gathering.” he said.
He also listed some of the obvious failure in tackling insecurity to include, persistent Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency, rising banditry and kidnapping, Herders-Farmers conflicts, continued Separatist Agitation, Slow Progress on Security Reforms
Imoke, however, recommended a multifaceted approach in effectively tackling insecurity in the country.
Some of his recommendations include strengthening Local Security Architecture Community Policing, Improving the Condition of the Economy, Implementing Comprehensive Rural Development Programs, Deploying Advanced Technology for Intelligence Gathering, Implementing Sustainable Peace and Mediation Programs, Enhance Funding for Security Agencies, Strengthening Legal and Judicial Systems, Bolstering Regional and International Cooperation, Border Control and Arms Regulation, and Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programmes.
A.I
Oct. 4, 2024
Tags: GOCOP Liyel Imoke
