Security Outfits Research Articles

Amotekun: The Southwest region’s response to the failures of the Nigerian police and worsening insecurity in Nigeria

ABSTRACT This article explores the concept of ‘Amotekun,’ the newly inaugurated security outfit of the southwest region of Nigeria. It investigates the various constructions of this initiative which have raised debates on the security potentials of the initiative. It examines the constitutional implications of this development and how it resonates with the clamour for regional police and community policing and the overall restructuring of the country. It assesses the security architecture of Nigeria in the light of pervading insecurity across the country and the inability of the federal government to provide security for its citizens. Using the Social Contract theory, the article argues that the failure of government to secure lives and properties which is a breach of its social contract with Nigerians gave rise to the ‘self help’ initiatives such as Amotekun. It contends that correcting this breach of the contract by government through a constitutional amendment or a new constitution which removes police issues from the exclusive list to the concurrent lists in the federal constitution as well as give more powers to the federating units is fundamental not only in solving the security issues in the country but also in tackling other issues confronting the country.

Traditional Institutions and Socio-economic Development in Nigeria: A Critical Analysis

Traditional institutions held pre-eminence positions in the pre-colonial societies in Nigeria. The level of order witnessed during this period was a testimony to the invaluable roles played by the traditional rulers in administering their different empires, kingdoms and communities. However, during the colonial era, the position of traditional rulers was compromised as they became mere stooges of the colonial power. The post-colonial period saw the traditional rulers’ roles diminished as they were given advisory roles in previous constitutions and with no single role in the 1999 Constitution. Thus, for the continuous relevance of the traditional institutions, there is a need for re-examination of their roles in the country. This chapter argues for community based developmental roles for the traditional rulers in the country. These include promotion of tourism development, encouraging modern agricultural development, maintenance of peaceful co-existence among the people of their domain and settlers from other parts of the country, providing platform for alternative dispute resolution, monitoring the activities of the various vigilante groups and other unconventional security apparatus in their communities and lastly partnering the security operatives through intelligence gathering within their domains for effective operations of security outfits in serving the people better.

Community policing in Nigeria: A mere rhetoric than practical

This paper is designed to investigate into the various reasons to incorporate members of the community in Nigeria in the business of crime control thereby making them to be part and parcel of security outfit in their environs. This is premised on the grounds that with the involvement of the indigenes of the community in crime control and social disorder it will go a long way in checkmating crime. The paper will also dissect the reasons for introducing community policing and its benefits in creating an environment where crime cannot flourish. It is also expected to x-ray lapses in the current policing structure in Nigeria and why community policing will be like pouring water on a rocky ground. Finally, it will expose some salient areas to be addressed by the police in order to create a fertile ground for community policing to thrive.

Pragmatic Study of Photo Captions on the Amotekun Security outfit of South West Nigeria

Communication is central to human existence and this is made possible by employing not only verbal language but also visual images as both are mediums of information dissemination. This study investigates the pragmatic elements in photo captions on the Amotekun security outfit of Southwest, Nigeria in tandem with the pragmatic act theory of Mey (2001) and complemented with Hoye’s and Kaiser’s visual act theory (2007). Data for the study were judgementally selected from the social media platform, Twitter, in January 2020. Fifteen photos were originally sampled but only eight met the objective of this study. Data was subjected to a qualitative interpretation and the result of findings revealed that five (05) of the sampled data were assertive allopracts, two (02) expressive allopracts and one (01) a directive allopract. The paper concluded on the note that the Amotekun is a welcome development in the region as the result of findings revealed but cautioned that the major objective for the creation of the outfit should not be for personal gratification or to achieve political goals by Governors of the region rather it should be for the protection of lives and properties of people in the six states that make up the region.

Incessant Insecurity in Nigeria: Has the Country Returned to the State of Nature

The rate of insecurity in Nigeria does not only call for concern but raises a loud alarm that no one is safe. The unending occurrence of killing, banditry and kidnapping affect all regions of the country and fear grips the mind of citizens, both the rich and the poor. The government at various levels have tried making security policies, giving security a primary attention in the national budget, purchasing sophisticated ammunitions, reshuffling the rank and file in the army, creating regional security outfits and other proactive steps, yet insecurity in the country prevails by the day and government appears to be handicapped in taking charge of internal sovereignty of the country. The government has however, often times, being excused of liability, especially when the cause of death is not directly connected with any of the government’s agencies despite the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of the citizens. It is in the light of this that the research aims at examining the sole responsibility of government in protecting citizens in the country, and the government’s corresponding liability in this regard. Relying on both primary and secondary of information, the article revealed the failure of the government to protect lives and properties within her territory makes the country drift into a state of nature. It is therefore concluded that citizens have entered a social contract for the sake of their safety and security, the government should henceforth be held responsible for further acts of killings and insecurity in the country.

Profitability of Trade in Moringa oleifera (LAM) Fresh Leaves in Taraba State, Nigeria

This study investigates the profitability of trade in Moringa oleifera (Lam) Fresh Leaves and also examine the Socio-economic characteristics of Traders in Taraba State, between June, 2018 and May, 2019. Applying a multistage Sampling approach, 342 and 97 traders were randomly selected and administered with questionnaire in the wet and dry seasons respectively, to elicit data, which were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results on the socio-economic variables showed that female traders (94.7%), age class 31-40 (36.3%), Married (65.5%), Household size of 8 members and above (69.6%) and non-formal education (51.8%) featured dominantly in moringa fresh leaves trade. Furthermore, Gross Margin (GM) analysis showed that the monthly income from Moringa oleifera (Lam) fresh leaves was highest (N372.50 ± 125.15) in Ibi Local Government Area (LGA), while Bali LGA had the least GM of (N 88.83 ± 91.40) in the wet season. In the dry season, Gashaka LGA had the highest GM of N 228.00 (± 78.55), while Jalingo LGA was the least with GM of N 57.50 (± 86.68). The comparison of GM and Quantity of leaves sold (QLS) in the dry and rainy seasons were not significantly different. The Rate of Returns on Investment (RORI), Gross Margin Index (GMI) and Unit Price (UP) in the rainy and dry seasons were significantly at 0.05 level of probability. It is therefore recommended that Government and Non-government organisations (NGOs) should educate the traders on the marketing of Moringa oleifera leaves; Government and NGOs should also make loans available at one-digit rate; Government should put in place a security outfit to curtail the incessant crisis in Taraba; and traders should form cooperative society to access loans with the Bank of Industry through the Anchor Borrower scheme.

English

Studies and institutional reports have argued that youth violence is a precursor to national insecurity in Nigeria. Contrary to youth as an agent of transformation and national development, their recurrence in violent conflicts has continued to undermine the national security of the country. Such security backlash is further conflated by the protracted Boko Haram insurgency which has ruptured the nation building, but also tugs on the sovereignty of the Nigerian state. While these phenomena have increasing implication for the country stability; youth violence across various communities in Lagos State, a megacity; the economic nerve centre of the country has further put Nigeria’s economic prosperity and security architecture in dire strait. This security deficit is the prevalence of anomie and lawlessness in Ikorodu Local Government area of Lagos State, instigated by the crisis of urbanisation, land grabbing, demographic pressure and cultism. This study examines youth violence and the failure of the Nigerian state, with focus on Onyabo Vigilante Groups (OVG), as a crucial actor in curtailing violence in Ikorodu Local Government of Lagos State. Using a qualitative method as a frame of analysis, the study argues that the lack of state capacity, resulting in unemployment, abject poverty and poor socio-condition is responsible for the widespread incidences of youth violence instigated by land grabbing and cultism in Ikorodu Local Government. The study concludes on the imperative of overhauling the security architecture of the state, to recognise vigilante groups legally and institutionally, as a complementary security outfit to the Nigerian police. More importantly, questions of poverty, unemployment and social dislocation should be put on the front burner of government developmental agenda to forestall hopelessness and frustration which are frequent condition breeding violence in Nigeria.             Key words: State, vigilante, youth violence, Onyabo, Ikorodu.

Utilitarianism and the Challenges of Insecurity in Nigeria from 2015 to 2019

One defining character of Nigeria federalism is the heterogeneous nature comprising of over two hundred and fifty ethnic nationalities with diverse culture, religion and values. The current population of Nigeria is 199,617,970 based on the latest United Nations estimate. The country experienced a chequered history due to incessant military intervention after independence in 1960.The military finally relinquished power on the 29 th May, 1999 and since then, Nigeria has been plunged into one form of insecurity or the other. Hopes of better days ahead grow dim everyday and in 2015, insecurity was the campaign slogan against the then incumbent government and the political party that assumed power on 29 th May, 1999(The Peoples Democratic Party). The need for change was hinged on insecurity in view of the spate of violence causing deaths and destruction of properties from the acts of terrorism, banditry, ethnic clashes etc. The event from 2015 to 2019 has shown a geometric rise of the level of insecurity in Nigeria while other forms of insecurity have emerged. There are laws, security outfits as well as a legitimate government in place and yet the lives and properties of people are daily in danger. The objective of this study is to proffer solutions to the challenges of insecurity. The challenges of insecurity are placed at the doorstep of the government and the process of decision-making. The study recommends the application of the utilitarian ethics as a compass to chart the path of security to avoid senseless carnage that is a threat to the corporate existence of the nation. Keywords: Utilitarianism, insecurity, terrorism, banditry, altruism etc DOI : 10.7176/JLPG/86-07 Publication date :June 30 th 2019

Household and Neighbourhood Responses to House Burglary in Ibadan

House burglary is a prevailing issue in Nigeria owing to the inefficiency of formal security institutions in dealing with incidences of urban household burglary. This study examines households and neighbourhoods’ responses to household burglary in Ibadan, Nigeria. In-depth interviews and household questionnaires were the primary data collection tools. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted while a multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 299 respondents. Analysis of Variance confirmed the research hypothesis which suggested that burglary crimes committed differ significantly among residential neighbourhoods (F=3.012). Burglary occurred mostly in houses that were accessed through footpaths. Furthermore, females reported witnessing burglaries more than males. Neighbourhood responses to burglary include the use of gates, private security outfits and local vigilante groups. Individual households relied on burglary proof windows and door; broken bottles and wire fencing for protection. The intensity of crime in suburban areas impacts residential relocation and property values. Neighbourhood planning and good housing design remain other means through which easy accessibility by burglars can be prevented.

Unsolved: Killings by Motorcycle Hitmen and Serial Murders of Women in Uganda.

A wave of unexplained and puzzling killings have occurred in Uganda since 2012, execution-style ride-by shootings and serial murders of women leaving a large part of the population in fear, and speculating as to the reasons for such acts as well as the individuals behind them. The shootings initially targeted a section of Moslem leaders, however, from March 2015 the attacks escalated to include senior government officials. This escalation coincided with the initial reports of the capture of Jamil Mukulu, the leader of the Allied Democratic Force (ADF), in Tanzania. A separate phenomenon, the murder by strangulation of over 20 women in Nansaana and Entebbe seems concomitant with the existence of one or more serial killers. This paper analyses the mysterious nature of these killings by attempting to locate them in their historical and socio-political contexts. It provides a brief historical account of the numerous killings that have occurred between 2012 – 2018, while systemically attempting to dichotomize the killings based on their nature, victims targeted, the manner of the killings and trying to identify the possible perpetrators. Through a human rights prism, the issue of the right to life and arbitrary deprivation of life is discussed in the context of Uganda with a layout of the pertinent legal framework. In attempting to answer the question, “Who is behind these killings?”, the paper evaluates the possible existence of rogue elements in government, terrorist sleeper cells, criminal elements, and serial killers. The paper concludes by looking in depth at possible methodologies that could be harnessed to address the issue by Law Enforcement, and evaluating the proposals put forth by Uganda’s security outfit to improve public safety.

Intelligence Sharing: The Challenges among the Nigerian Security Agencies and Government

Nigeria is a pluralistic society with diverse cultures and with the antecedent of criminal and insecurity activities. However, Nigeria’s government with a view to promoting national security has established many security outfits to cater for national security. For security to thrive in such situation there is need for intelligence sharing among these security agencies. Surprisingly, the multiple security outfits instead of achieving the utmost security among all odds have had to struggle with lack of cooperation, ego boosting, favouritism, and marginalisation. Individual outfit keeps its intelligence gathered within itself with a view to promoting unnecessary relevance and competition among other outfits rather than sharing intelligence to achieve common purpose. The study therefore examines the challenges of intelligence sharing among the Nigerian security agencies and the government that ought to execute intelligence report shared with it. Ironically, the politicisation of intelligence shared with government itself makes a mockery of intelligence sharing among the security outfits. The study also rests on observation and literature on intelligence and security highlighting the challenges of security outfits in Nigeria with their overlapping functions. The paper therefore recommends collaborative effort in intelligence sharing between the security agencies and government, depoliticising intelligence and more provision of security facilities to help gather information timely in order to forestall impending dangers.

Working Tools, Acceptance and the Performance of Security Outfits In Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Working Tools, Acceptance and the Performance of Security Outfits In Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Challenges of Outsourcing Security Services in Selected Educational Institutions in Ogun State, Nigeria

ABSTRACTThe study examined the challenges of outsourcing human security services by the federal tertiary educational institutions (FTEIs) in Ogun State, Nigeria, namely: Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro; and Federal College of Education, Abeokuta. It employed the conflict perspective as theoretical framework and the multistage sampling method, which consisted of the purposive, stratified, and random sampling techniques. Data were generated through questionnaire administered to 783 respondents selected through the stratified and random sampling methods. In addition, 24 key informant and 24 in-depth interviews were conducted in the institutions. The data were analyzed using frequencies, percentage, and content analysis. The findings covered preoutsourcing and postoutsourcing, security outfits and personnel challenges. Cross-examination revealed 65.3% cases of cult violence in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; 56.4% in Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro; and 67.9% in Federal College of Education, Abeokuta. Some of the security challenges experienced by the FTEIs were land encroachment, smugglers threat, and invasion by herdsmen. The study recommended that the outsourcing policy be comprehensively reviewed using individualized strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis for each institution so as to provide a uniform regulatory framework and funding by the government.

Nollywood and the Nigerian Security Situation: Prospects and Challenges of Alternative Security Outfits in Lancelot Odua Imasuen’s Isakaba

Peace and security are not only variables of national growth and development, but also panacea for sustainable development. However, amidst challenges of emergent culture produced by the Nigerian nation-state the two vital variables remain elusive. Hence, the ability to put these variables in place constitutes part of the puzzle and dilemma of almost every republic in Nigeria. Therefore, the problem of this study is persistent state of insecurity that bedevil most republics in Nigeria as manifest in incessant armed robbery attacks, students’ unrest, religious riots, and most recently, militancy and terrorism. Hence, the aim of this study is to assess prospects and challenges of alternative security outfits as solution to Nigeria’s security challenges using Lancelot Odua Imasuen’s Isakaba. The study examined Nollywood’s projection of the search for lasting solution to the nation’s security problems in an outfit influenced by African ritualistic practices, system of justice and its obvious challenges and prospects. Case study and content analysis approaches of the qualitative research method were adopted by the researchers for data collection and analysis. The study revealed that; individuals, organizations, communities, the media and various tiers of government in Nigeria have continued to experiment on how to ensure security of lives and property of the citizenry in the face of a corrupt and lukewarm police force. Consequently, propositions like: the use of the traditional security system, state police, individual security outfits, the use of armed forces and even individualized security systems which allow individuals the use of personal gun for self-protection have been made. The study concluded that alternative security outfits are closer to the people and is therefore more effective than the government security agents. However, the use of these outfits must be supervised by the state or federal governments

Prevalence of <i>Plasmodium</i> Species Infection Among Private Security Guards in Kaduna Metropolis, Kaduna State-Nigeria

Private security guards play an important role in providing security to the citizenry especially in a developing country like Nigeria. They are however many at times exposed to vector borne diseases such as malaria. To determine the prevalence of Plasmodium species infections among private security guards in Kaduna metropolis, Kaduna-Nigeria, two hundred and sixty-one (261) blood samples were collected and screened for malaria parasite using Malaria Ag P.f and Malaria Ag P.f/Pan kits (SD BIOLINE, Cat. No: SD05FK50 and SD05FK60 respectively). Demography information on guards were collected using structured questionnaires. Result obtained showed an overall prevalence of 17.62% Plasmodium infection among guards screened using both kits. Age, sex and season were found to significantly influence the prevalence of P. falciparum infection among guards in Kaduna metropolis (P < 0.05). It is recommended that managements of private security outfits should provide their staff with adequate protective measures against mosquito transmitted diseases for improved workers efficiency and reduce man hour loss.

Private Security Outfits and Internal Security in Nigeria : An X-Ray of Kings Guards Nigeria Limited , Abuja

Private Security Outfits and Internal Security in Nigeria : An X-Ray of Kings Guards Nigeria Limited , Abuja

The Role of Nigerian Civil Defense Corps in Security Administration in Nigeria: Challenges for the 21st Century

The central focus of this paper is to examine the major roles of civil defense corps in security administration in Nigeria and the challenges facing the social order, peace and stability of the people as we are in the threshold of the millennium in the 21st century. The entire security architecture of Nigeria is face with myriads of challenges due to the tidal waves of criminal activities and general insecurity that pose serious threats to the corporate existence of the country. These challenges and the incapacitation of the extant security outfits necessitated the conception and delivery of the child of necessity named Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in 2003 under President Olusegun Obasanjo supplement the efforts of other security outfits. This study found that the Corps was inhibited by factors like dearth of manpower, corruption, illiteracy among others based on the foregoing the Corps lacks the necessary weapons and gadgets to check the rising wave of crime in the society especially the with the emergence of Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria and militants in the Niger Delta.

The Nature of Internal Security Problems in African States: The Nigerian Experience

This paper examined the nature of internal security problems of African States using Nigeria as a case study. The paper sought to identify the plethora of security challenges confronting Nigeria with specific emphasis on the Niger Delta Crises, Kidnapping in the South-East geo-political zone, Jos Crises and Boko Haram Crises in the Northern part of Nigeria. The study investigated the extent to which man-tailored internal security problems impacted negatively or otherwise on socio-economic development of the Nigerian State, especially since 1999. The study adopted secondary data as its methodological orientation. The result of the analyses revealed that the national security policy of Nigeria which internal security is a sub-unit was weak to tackle violent security problems that confronted the country. This was partly because, policy makers lacked requisite knowledge to formulate robust internal security policies and effective strategies to mitigate insurgencies in the country. Rather, ad hoc security outfits have continued to dominate internal security governance in Nigeria since 1999. Therefore, the paper recommended among others, the need for recruitment of well-educated, versatile, honest and committed policy makers for the country through credible electoral process.

The Upsurge of Oil Theft and Illegal Bunkering in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: Is There a Way Out?

This paper examines the rising cases of oil theft in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria which has negatively impacted on the Nigerian economy. This is because Nigerian state solely depend oil generated revenues for her economic survival. The aim of this study is to critically examine the methods, actors, causes, impacts of oil theft and the measures adopted by Nigerian governments to combat oil theft. The location of the study is the Niger Delta region and the study was timed within the period of 2009-2014. Secondary data were generated for the study, while content analysis was used for data interpretation and analysis. The study revealed that different individuals and groups were involved in oil theft and illegal bunkering activities. The study further proved that persistence oil theft in the Niger Delta is due to the enthroned corruption by Nigerian elites, high level of youth unemployment, ineffective and corrupt law enforcement agencies and international crime collaborations. The study also revealed that successive Nigerian governments have made attempts to curb the menace by the establishment of a special security outfit, militarization of the Niger Delta region and granting of amnesty to Niger Delta militants but the upsurge of oil theft in recent times clearly indicates that success has not been achieved, hence some recommendations were proffered to put an end to oil theft in the Niger Delta region. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n3s2p563

Crime Mapping in Nigeria Using GIS

This paper first examines crime situation in Benin metropolis using questionnaire to elicit information from the public and the police. Result shows that crime is on the rise and that the police are handicapped in managing it because of the obsolete methods and resources at their disposal. It also reveals that members of the public have no confidence in the police force as 80% do not report cases for fear of exposure to the informant to the criminal. In the light of these situations, the second part of the paper looks at the possibility of utilizing GIS for effective management of crime in Nigeria. This option was explored by showing the procedural method of creating 1) digital landuse map showing the crime locations, 2) crime geo-spatial database, and 3) spatial analysis such as query and buffering using ILWIS and ArcGIS software and GPS. The result of buffering analysis shows crime hotspots, areas deficient in security outfit, areas of overlap and areas requiring constant police patrol. The study proves that GIS can give a better synoptic perspective to crime study, analysis, mapping, proactive decision making and prevention of crime. It however suggests that migrating from traditional method of crime management to GIS demands capacity building in the area of personnel, laboratory and facilities backed up with policy statement.