The Spate of Insecurity in Nigeria within the Context of Governance Failure, Justice and Unrest

Abstract

Background World over, insecurity, social unrest and spatial justice has constituted a fillip for anarchy and crime; and generally stalls the growth and socioeconomic development of the society. Nigeria and Nigerians have suffered from the conundrum and debilitating effects of these phenomena which characterization is expressed in political thuggery and instability, corruption, insurgency, communal and ethno-religious conflict. Security here therefore, becomes a critical element in responding to these hiatus which sustenance is predicated on first and foremost sound justice, transparency, accountability, respect for ones rights and implementable government policies vis-à-vis proper orientation. Barry and Victor (2007), maintained that given the number and variety of weapons that are in circulation and can be used, insecurity, social unrest and injustice can become a big challenge to a peaceful polity. A society, as a matter of fact, must recognize that human beings are integral part of the society and all the resources an individual need to solve his problems could be provided for by the social system. In analyzing the social provision theory of Titmus and Khan, Etuk (2002), avers that a system should emphasize on the rights of society members especially as it pertains to equality of access to resources and opportunity (ies) society has to offer. For this, social unrest and insecurity will be majorly curbed and the pressure on court vis-à-vis justice would be reduced. To a large degree, because of insecurity, the economic and political imperatives that drive growth and development in the society is fractured and dislodged. Nigeria's wealth which ordinarily would have placed Nigeria and Nigerians at a pedestal of economic, political and social diadem is rather sloping to a deterioration. Julius (2011) adds that, insecurity and social unrest experienced in Nigeria has brought severe and devastating socioeconomic , political and developmental crises plundering and destroying basic amenities, giving impetus to corruption, religious charlatanism, war, restiveness, unstable political systems and dictatorial governance. According to Sambo (2008), the security climate in Nigeria within the past three or four decades has not promoted the kind of social and economic welfare that would have insulated citizens from vagaries of poverty, hunger and diseases. He further posited that, over 70% of the nation's population live below poverty line, restricted access to education and public health as experienced in the Northeast and North-Central of Nigeria. Corroborating this assertion Julius (2011), maintained that these maladies and their unfathomable consequences is the inability of Nigeria (ians) to effectively and efficiently utilize resources for the nation's economic gain to develop various communities in the country has created rift among its population and encouraged schism with the various ethnic nationalities. According to Emmanuel (2005), the efficacy of the philosophy and policies of any system of government in maintain...