Essential Elements of Security and their Applications in Ensuring Stability and Integration of Nigeria

Abstract

This study attempts to x-ray the essential elements of security and the need for their application in ensuring the stability and integration of the Nigerian federation in the light of the fore-going heightened security challengesin Nigeria. No nation can freely develop or overcome the forces of instabilities and disintegration when it neglects the effectiveharnesment or applicationof basic or essential elements of security. Such critical elements of security include; timely procurement of security intelligence, prompt identification of threats to both internal and national security, with its attendant pro-active security arrangement,threat assessment, statement of aims/objectives of national security objectives and programmes, planning to be in line with the objectives of national security. Others are; security liaison, and net-working with other sister security departments towards achieving the national security objectives, effectively coordinating security and its activities under a centralized command structure, re-appraisal of the overall security objectives, situations and strategies in the light of new developments as well as advising government based on the situation on ground for the overall improvement of security measuresand adequate funding. In the case of Nigeria, security lapses and challenges manifest on daily basis in forms of youth restiveness, terrorism and insurgent attacks, kidnappings and hostage-takings for monetaryransoms, political assassinations, arsons, murders, cult-related activities, mass protests and so forth: theseare traceable to neglect of these essential elements of security.However, the past military leaders and political class in Nigeria, seem less interested toadequately fund security departments to enable them cope with security challenges in the country. They seem to pay lip-services to the critical elements of security until small internal disputes are allowed due to political partisan and ethno- religioussentiments to snow-ball to security crises of national dimension as is the case with the present Boko Haram insurgencypresently threatening Nigeria's stability, unity and existence. This work analyzes descriptively while multi-track security model is the theoretical framework. This work indicates that the Nigerian Government whichhas the sole statutory mandate to manage state security has not effectively harnessed the critical essentials of security to achieve the stability and integration of the country. The work therefore recommends that the Nigerian leaders should holistically address and utilize the essential elements of security in ensuring the stability and integration of the Nigerian Federation by effectively organizing, planning, funding, controlling, directing and integrating technical elements with human, and material resources towards achieving the stability and integration of the Nigerian state.