Insecurity in Nigeria: New Report Calls for Regional Collaboration to Address Growing Crisis

In a move to tackle the escalating spate of insecurity in Nigeria, the Initiative for Economic Development Communication and the International Organisation for Peacebuilding and Social Justice have released a report recommending strategies to find a lasting solution to the crisis.

According to the report, titled "Unravelling Nigeria’s Insecurity crisis: The urgent need for a lasting solution," Nigeria’s security concerns require a multifaceted approach, involving regional and international collaboration, humanitarian and conflict resolution, strategic security policy and legal framework, as well as a problem-specific approach to address the insecurity across different regions.

Ogie Eboigbe, Executive Vice President of the Initiative for Economic Development Communication, expressed concern about the high and increasing cost of insecurity in Nigeria, lamenting that it has caused significant economic and humanitarian concerns. "The cost of insecurity in Nigeria remains alarmingly high and shows no signs of abating," Eboigbe stated, emphasizing the need for stakeholders to come together to tackle the problem.

The report highlights the need for the Nigerian government to take ownership of the crisis and address its underlying causes, including failures in governance and leadership. "For too long, the government has acted as an outsider, or standby observer, as if the problem belonged to the communities alone," said Eboigbe. "The report calls on the government to own the problem and work towards reclaiming territories overtaken by insurgents."

Furthermore, the report stresses that a military approach alone is insufficient in addressing Nigeria’s security concerns. It urges the implementation of a tailored strategy, tailored to specific regions, to tackle the complex security challenges. Benue and Imo States, among others, are highlighted as areas requiring tailored approaches due to their distinct security issues.

In contrast to previous reports, which have mainly focused on providing a broader overview of security concerns, this report prioritizes actionable recommendations to empower stakeholders and policymakers. While acknowledging that the task at hand is daunting, it emphasizes that the situation must be confronted and mitigated to achieve a more secure and lasting society for the people of Nigeria.