Geography and Insecurity in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

The security condition of Nigeria space has reached a worrisome altitude and it is now beacon on every Nigerian to chart a way out, the paper attempted to provide explanation on the downplay of geography which culminated in insecurity in northern Nigeria. It simultaneously explored effective understanding of the country’s geography in addressing insecurity in the region. It ventured into literature survey to accomplish the set goal. It revealed that all the three geopolitical zones in the northern Nigeria were under intense insecurity with the operation of Boko Haram, farmer–herder criminality, terrorism and banditry, criminal gangs and jihadists crime. It also revealed the tactical strategies for criminality to include difficult terrains to state security, bombings, seizure and destruction of villages, kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, pillage, forced displacement, abductions and sexual violence. In addition the factors that promoted banditry were cattle rustling, illicit artisanal gold mining, proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), ethnic hate, religious bigotry, and territorial ambition among others. It highlighted the effects of criminality to include massive displacement of people, decline agricultural output, dwindling investment and increase out-of-school children. Government had fought insecurity in northern Nigeria with “force-for-force”, carrot-and-stick approach and use of diplomacy and given amnesty. It was recommended that there should be well equipped armed forest guards with modern digital communication technology, operational of geopolitical zones as basis for planning policing, construction of physical barriers on the international borders and strategic spatial planning.