Curbing incessant security threats bedevilling Northeastern states of Nigeria: Implication for library and information service and practice

Abstract

The security situation in Nigeria keeps deteriorating each passing day as over 200 million people faces security threats in almost all the states in the country. The issues of Boko Haram phenomenon, Kalare elements, kidnapping, drug abuse, rape, gender violence, Fulani helmsmen, abduction and other forms of security threats are on the increase with citizens been killed and properties destroyed on a daily basis. It is on this basis that this study investigated the roles of libraries and information science professionals in curbing incessant security threats bedevilling Northeastern states in Nigeria. The objectives of the study include: to determine the causes of incessant security threats bedevilling Northeastern states in Nigeria, to assess the influence of incessant security threats bedevilling Northeastern states in Nigeria and to identify the preventive mechanism of incessant security threats bedevilling Northeastern states in Nigeria. This study was guided by descriptive research design. Quantitative and qualitative method was adopted for the study. Fifty two (52) copies of questionnaire were analysed for the study. One person each from the Northeastern states was interviewed as qualitative data to compliment the quantitative data. The findings of the study revealed that poor parenting, peer groups, lack of western education, drug abuse and illiteracy were responsible for the causes of insecurity bedevilling the north east. It also revealed that the influence of peer groups, mass media, and community was most responsible for insecurity bedevilling the north east region. The study advocates that the government and non-governmental agencies should sustain the efforts of education, technical and vocational activities in engaging the minds of youth as a preventive mechanism to curb incessant security threats in the north east of the state in Nigeria. The study concluded that though not all the youths in the Northeastern states participated in the study, however, sustaining programmes through technical, vocational and small business activities were found to be useful in curbing insecurity in the north east region The study recommended that frequent programmes should be encouraged to engage the mind of the youth to be responsible and responsive to the society. Library and information professionals should provide resources, services and programmes that can promote literacy, personal and national development as well as security of Nigeria as a country.