| 1 |
Author(s):
BASHIR Sunusi Abdullahi.
Page No : 1-22
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Banditry and Internal Security in Kaduna State: A Case Study of Giwa and Chikun Local Government Areas of Kaduna State: 2019 – 2023
Abstract
This study examines Banditry and Internal Security in Kaduna State, with a specific focus on Giwa and Chikun Local Government areas between 2019-2023. The persistent wave of Banditry has exposed the weak and uncoordinated response of the security agencies, the lack of intelligence sharing among the security agencies, the limited military and police presence in rural areas, the delays in deployment during attacks, and the lack of trust between local communities and security forces has been revealed as the major bottleneck in addressing banditry activities in the study areas. The objectives of the study were to examine the socio-economic impact of banditry and Internal security in Giwa and Chikun L.G.As, the challenges faced in mitigating banditry activities in the affected areas, the nexus between banditry and Internal Security in Kaduna State , and the strategies employed to mitigate them. The study was anchored on Human Security and Rational choice theory, the Human security theory emphasizes on the idea of preventing threats before it cause harm, therefore, addressing the root causes of insecurity such as poverty and unemployment. Adopting a mixed- methods research design, the study drew data from quantitative and qualitative sources. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 400 respondents, which comprise academics, security operatives, traditional and community leaders, selected through purposive sampling across Giwa and Chikun. While Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and and inferencial statistics via SPSS. The findings reveled that poverty and unemployment, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, cattle rustling, kidnapping, lack of education among youth, limited military and police presence in the affected areas are the main drivers of banditry. Therefore, the study recommends the creation of skills acquisition programs, agricultural empowerment programs and entrepreneurship training among youths by the government, in combination with accessible microcredit facilities which will discourage the engagement of youths in criminal activities. In addition, state should formalize and support community- based vigilante groups under legal and operational frameworks that will ensure accountability and coordination with conventional security agencies, the government should intensify efforts to secure Nigeria’s porous borders, strengthen arms regulations, and deploy modern surveillance technologies. Finally, traditional leaders, religious institutions and local civil society organizations should be formally integrated into peace building efforts, with resources and legal backing, to help mediate disputes, resolve communal tentions, and prevents the escalation of conflicts that provide fertile ground for banditry.
Key words: banditry; security; internal security; Kaduna State; Human Security Theory; Rational Choice Theory
| 2 |
Author(s):
MUSTAPHA Ibrahim , AISHATU Umar Dahiru i, ANDA Usman Obansa .
Page No : 23-39
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Rural Electrification and Artificial Intelligence as measures for Combating Boko Haram Insurgency in Borno State Nigeria: A Theoretical Perspective
Abstract
The Boko Haram insurgency has remained one of the most persistent security challenges confronting Borno State and northeastern Nigeria, resulting in widespread loss of lives, displacement of populations, destruction of critical infrastructure, and disruption of socioeconomic development. Despite sustained military campaigns and conventional counterterrorism operations, the insurgency continues to pose significant threats to peace and security, indicating the need for complementary strategies that integrate development interventions with technological innovation. This study examined rural electrification and artificial intelligence as complementary measures for combating Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State, Nigeria. The study adopted a qualitative theoretical approach based on a critical review and analysis of existing literature on security, rural development, artificial intelligence, and counterinsurgency, drawing on Human Security Theory and Routine Activity Theory. The analysis revealed that rural electrification can promote socioeconomic development, improve livelihoods, strengthen community resilience, enhance public lighting, and increase government presence in rural communities, thereby reducing conditions that contribute to insecurity. The study also found that artificial intelligence technologies, including drone surveillance, predictive analytics, facial recognition, and intelligent monitoring systems, can improve intelligence gathering, early warning, threat detection, and operational decision-making in counterinsurgency efforts. The study argues that integrating rural electrification with artificial intelligence offers a more sustainable and multidimensional approach to combating Boko Haram insurgency than reliance on military responses alone. It concludes that combining development-oriented interventions with technology-driven security strategies can strengthen peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery in Borno State. The study recommends increased investment in rural electrification infrastructure, artificial intelligence-enabled security systems, interagency collaboration, and capacity building to enhance counterinsurgency operations and promote sustainable peace in northeastern Nigeria.
Keywords: Rural Electrification, Artificial Intelligence, Boko Haram Insurgency, Counterinsurgency, Human Security.
| 3 |
Author(s):
MUNIRA Abduljamal Shammiil.
Page No : 40-58
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Information Warfare, Disinformation Campaigns, and Democratic Security: Towards a Strategic Information Resilience Framework for Emerging African Democracies
Abstract
Information warfare has emerged as one of the most significant non-traditional security challenges confronting contemporary democracies, where state and non-state actors increasingly employ disinformation campaigns, artificial intelligence, and digital influence operations to manipulate public opinion, weaken institutional legitimacy, and undermine democratic stability. This study examines the implications of information warfare for democratic security from the perspective of strategic security governance, with particular reference to Nigeria and other emerging African democracies. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study relies on documentary analysis of secondary data drawn from peer-reviewed literature, policy documents, government publications, and reports of international organizations. The analysis is anchored on Securitization Theory and the Social Amplification of Risk Framework (SARF), which together provide a basis for understanding the emergence, amplification, and governance of contemporary information threats.
The findings demonstrate that information warfare has transformed the character of strategic competition by making the information environment a critical domain of national security. Advances in artificial intelligence, social media, and digital communication technologies have significantly increased the scale, speed, and sophistication of coordinated influence operations, while institutional fragmentation and inadequate governance continue to undermine democratic resilience. The study further establishes that effective responses require integrated governance involving intelligence institutions, cybersecurity agencies, strategic communication, legal safeguards, democratic accountability, and public participation.
The principal contribution of the study is the development of the Strategic Information Resilience Framework (SIRF), an integrated governance model that combines information environment monitoring, threat detection, institutional coordination, strategic communication, democratic safeguards, and continuous adaptive learning to strengthen resilience against evolving information warfare. The framework provides both a conceptual contribution to Security and Strategic Studies and a practical guide for policymakers seeking to safeguard democratic institutions in the digital age.
Keywords: Information warfare; Disinformation campaigns; Democratic security; Strategic security governance; Artificial intelligence; Strategic Information Resilience Framework (SIRF); Nigeria.
| 4 |
Author(s):
ALHERI Kure.
Page No : 59-78
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The Socio-Economic Consequences of Banditry on Rural Livelihoods: Assessing the Impact on Agriculture, Education, and Trade in Kajuru Local Government Areas of Kaduna State
Abstract
This study examined the socio-economic consequences of banditry on rural livelihoods in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, with particular focus on its impact on agriculture, education, and trade. The study was carried out due to the increasing rate of insecurity, violent attacks, kidnappings, cattle rustling, displacement, and destruction of property associated with banditry in rural communities across Northwestern Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to examine the impact of banditry on agricultural activities, assess its effects on educational activities, evaluate its influence on trade and commercial activities, identify the socio-economic challenges faced by rural households, and examine government and community responses toward addressing banditry in the study area. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and relied mainly on secondary sources of data, including scholarly journal articles, textbooks, government publications, security reports, and reports from humanitarian organizations. Human Security Theory served as the theoretical framework for the study. Data were analyzed using thematic and descriptive analytical methods. Findings revealed that banditry has significantly disrupted farming activities, reduced food production, weakened trade and market operations, and contributed to school closures and declining educational participation in Kajuru Local Government Area. The study also found that rural households face poverty, displacement, unemployment, food insecurity, and psychological trauma as a result of persistent insecurity. Although government security operations and community-based interventions have been introduced, insecurity continues to persist due to inadequate security structures and underlying socio-economic challenges. The study recommends stronger security measures, rural economic support programmes, educational protection strategies, community-based security collaboration, and rehabilitation support for victims of banditry.
Keywords: Banditry, Rural Livelihoods, Agriculture, Education, Trade, Insecurity, Kajuru, Socio-Economic Consequences.
| 5 |
Author(s):
SARAH Selbyen Dannap.
Page No : 79-104
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Irregular Migration and Urban Survival Strategies in Nigeria: Assessing the Activities of Mairuwa in Kuje Area Council
Abstract
This study examines irregular migration and urban survival strategies in Nigeria with specific attention to the activities of Mairuwa in Kuje Area Council, Abuja. The increasing rate of irregular migration into urban and peri urban areas has become a major socio economic challenge in Nigeria, driven by unemployment, rural poverty, insecurity, and unequal access to development opportunities. Many migrants who arrive in urban centres are unable to secure formal employment and therefore depend on the informal economy for survival. In Kuje Area Council, one of the most visible informal survival strategies is the Mairuwa system, where migrants engage in manual cart pushing and goods transportation within markets, motor parks, and commercial centres. The study adopts a qualitative approach based on secondary data analysis and conceptual review of relevant literature on migration, urban informality, and survival economies. Findings reveal that irregular migration into Kuje is largely influenced by structural inequalities and lack of opportunities in rural areas. It also shows that the urban informal economy plays a crucial role in absorbing surplus labour, with Mairuwa activities emerging as an essential component of local economic functioning. These workers contribute significantly to the movement of goods and support for small scale traders, thereby sustaining market operations in peri urban areas. However, the study also finds that Mairuwa workers operate under highly precarious conditions characterized by low income, job insecurity, lack of social protection, and social marginalization. Their activities, while economically important, are largely unregulated and expose them to various vulnerabilities. The study concludes that irregular migration and informal survival strategies are deeply interconnected and reflect broader socio economic challenges in Nigeria’s urban system. It recommends inclusive policies, improved rural development, and formal recognition of informal workers to enhance sustainable urban development.
Keywords: Irregular migration, urban survival strategies, informal economy, Mairuwa, Kuje Area Council, urban informality, Nigeria.
| 6 |
Author(s):
RICHARD Inyang Reuben.
Page No : 105-129
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Integrating Modern Communication Technologies with Traditional Conflict Resolution Practices
Abstract
This study examines the integration of modern communication technologies with traditional conflict resolution practices, with a focus on how both systems can be combined to enhance sustainable peace and social cohesion. Traditional conflict resolution mechanisms, grounded in indigenous institutions such as elders, traditional rulers, and community assemblies, remain central to maintaining social order in many African societies due to their emphasis on dialogue, reconciliation, and restorative justice. However, the increasing complexity and rapid escalation of contemporary conflicts necessitate complementary approaches that leverage digital communication technologies. The study adopts a qualitative conceptual approach, drawing on secondary sources to explore how mobile communication systems, social media platforms, SMS alerts, and community radio networks interact with indigenous peacebuilding structures. Findings reveal that digital communication technologies significantly improve early warning systems, enhance coordination among stakeholders, and accelerate response to conflict situations. They also facilitate wider participation in peace processes by improving information flow between communities and formal security institutions. However, the study also finds that challenges such as misinformation, digital illiteracy, infrastructural limitations, and unequal access to technology undermine the effectiveness of digital peacebuilding initiatives. The study concludes that neither traditional nor digital systems alone are sufficient for managing contemporary conflicts effectively. Instead, a hybrid approach that integrates indigenous legitimacy with technological efficiency offers a more sustainable framework for conflict resolution. The study recommends strengthening digital infrastructure, improving digital literacy among traditional actors, and establishing stronger regulatory mechanisms to manage online information in order to enhance peacebuilding outcomes.
| 7 |
Author(s):
NDER AII LUPER.
Page No : 130-154
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Insecurity and Sustainable Development in Kaduna State: A Case Study of Chikun Local Government Area (2015–2025)
Abstract
The conceptual nexus between national security and sustainable development is intrinsically symbiotic; the materialization of institutional and socio-economic progress relies heavily on a stable, secure, and predictable environment. Over the past decade, Nigeria has grappled with an escalating, multifaceted security crisis that has threatened its sovereign stability and severely compromised its developmental trajectory. This study empirically examines the impact of insecurity specifically armed banditry and kidnapping for ransom—on key indicators of sustainable development within Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, Nigeria, covering the period from 2015 to 2025.
Adopting an eclectic theoretical framework that synthesizes Frustration-Aggression Theory, Structural Functionalism, Social Contract/State Fragility Theory, and Human Security Theory, the study investigates how localized, non-state armed violence disrupts grassroots economic stability, agricultural productivity, and human capital development. A convergent parallel mixed-methods research design was deployed, utilizing both quantitative survey questionnaires administered to a sampled population of 398 respondents (comprising farmers, small business owners, and local residents) and qualitative Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) held with community leaders, security personnel, and executives of agricultural cooperatives.
The empirical findings reveal that persistent armed banditry has decimated local commerce, triggered extensive capital flight, and crippled the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the local council. Furthermore, the commercialization of kidnapping has weaponized the agricultural sector, forcing widespread farm abandonment, reducing crop yields, and engendering an acute localized food security crisis. The study also confirms that deliberate targeting of educational and healthcare facilities has severely eroded human capital accumulation. The paper concludes that military kinetics alone are insufficient to address this crisis. It recommends a paradigm shift toward integrated, non-kinetic strategies, including community-centric intelligence architectures, formal institutionalization of localized vigilante frameworks, and the deployment of "Safe Farming Frameworks" to restore sustainable developmental trajectories at the grassroots level.
KEYWORDS: Armed Banditry, Kidnapping for Ransom, Sustainable Development, Grassroots Economy, Chikun LGA.
| 8 |
Author(s):
TEMITOPE Adeyemi, EA Bature , Sunday Adejoh.
Page No : 155-166
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Child Rights Protection as a National Security Strategy: Assessing the Security Implications of the Contemporary Almajiri System in Kaduna State (2016–2025)
Abstract
The contemporary Almajiri system has become an important subject of policy and scholarly discourse due to growing concerns about its implications for child protection and national security in Northern Nigeria. This study assessed child rights protection as a national security strategy by examining the security implications of the contemporary Almajiri system in Kaduna State between 2016 and 2025. A mixed-method approach was adopted, combining questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary evidence from government reports and scholarly publications. The findings revealed that inadequate child protection within the contemporary Almajiri system contributes to educational exclusion, neglect, exploitation, poverty, unemployment, and increased vulnerability to criminal exploitation and violent extremism. The study further established that these challenges are driven primarily by structural factors, including weak implementation of child protection policies, inadequate integration of Qur'anic and formal education, poverty, and limited institutional coordination rather than the philosophy of Islamic education itself. The study argues that strengthening child protection systems should be viewed as a proactive national security strategy capable of reducing social vulnerability and promoting sustainable peace. It recommends improved enforcement of child protection legislation, greater investment in inclusive education, stronger collaboration among government agencies, religious institutions, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and local communities, and the integration of Qur'anic and formal education to enhance children's welfare, human development, and national security in Kaduna State and Nigeria.
Keywords: Child Rights Protection; National Security; Almajiri System; Human Security; Kaduna State.
| 9 |
Author(s):
TUMBA Sunu Kefas.
Page No : 167-191
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Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of Strategic Security Governance: Countering Emerging Security Challenges in the Twenty-First Century
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the defining technologies reshaping contemporary security governance, as conventional approaches prove insufficient for managing the complexity and speed of terrorism, cybercrime, and other rapidly evolving threats. This study examines the role of AI in strengthening strategic security governance through a qualitative, documentary research design, anchored on Risk Society Theory and Complex Adaptive Systems Theory. The findings reveal that AI significantly enhances intelligence gathering, predictive threat analysis, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, border governance, and strategic decision-making, enabling governments to transition from reactive towards predictive and adaptive governance. However, AI also introduces significant ethical, legal, and governance challenges relating to algorithmic bias, privacy, and accountability; the study argues that AI's strategic value depends not on technological sophistication alone but on the quality of governance structures regulating its deployment. To address this gap, the paper proposes the Strategic AI Security Integration Model (SASIM), a comprehensive framework integrating AI into national security governance through intelligent data acquisition, threat analytics, strategic decision support, coordinated operational response, governance and accountability, and continuous institutional learning. The study concludes that sustainable AI-enabled security governance requires balancing technological innovation with ethical oversight and responsible strategic leadership.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Strategic Security Governance; National Security; Emerging Security Threats; Strategic AI Security Integration Model (SASIM).
| 10 |
Author(s):
IMOH Clement Ita.
Page No : 192-209
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Irregular Migration and Refugee Crises as Emerging Non-Traditional Security Threats: Implications for Human Security and Regional Stability
Abstract
Irregular migration and refugee crises have emerged as some of the most significant non-traditional security challenges confronting the international community in the twenty-first century, generating complex humanitarian, governance, and security concerns that transcend national boundaries. This study examines irregular migration and refugee crises as emerging non-traditional security threats and evaluates their implications for human security and regional stability, with particular reference to Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, and the West African sub-region. The study adopts a qualitative research design relying on documentary analysis of scholarly literature, policy documents, and reports produced by international and regional organizations. Guided by Human Security Theory and Securitization Theory, the paper critically examines the structural drivers of irregular migration, the evolving securitization of migration governance, and the multidimensional consequences for both source and host countries. The findings reveal that irregular migration is primarily a manifestation of persistent human insecurity arising from conflict, poverty, environmental degradation, and weak governance, while increasingly being framed by states as a national security concern requiring extraordinary policy responses. The study argues that migration governance should move beyond traditional border-control approaches towards integrated strategies that simultaneously promote human security, regional cooperation, and sustainable development, and proposes an Integrated Human Security Governance Framework that balances legitimate state security interests with humanitarian obligations. The paper recommends strengthening governance institutions, addressing the structural drivers of forced migration, enhancing regional cooperation through ECOWAS and the African Union, modernizing border management, and adopting evidence-based migration policies capable of promoting both human security and regional stability.
Keywords: Irregular Migration; Refugee Crises; Human Security; Non-Traditional Security; Regional Security Governance.
| 11 |
Author(s):
ROBERT Benenat Kwasu.
Page No : 210-227
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Insecurity and Development: Assessing the Impact of Banditry on Rural Communities in Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Abstract
Banditry has emerged as one of the most serious security challenges confronting rural communities in Northwestern Nigeria, particularly in Kaduna State. This study examined the causes of banditry, its socio-economic impacts, and the measures adopted to address the menace in rural communities of Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design and utilized structured questionnaires to collect data from 187 respondents selected from affected rural communities in the study area. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency distribution, percentages, and mean scores. The findings revealed that poverty (M = 4.18), unemployment among youths (M = 4.11), weak security presence in rural communities (M = 4.06), proliferation of small arms and light weapons (M = 4.02), and poor governance (M = 3.98) were the major causes of banditry in the study area. The study further found that banditry has had severe socio-economic consequences, including reduction in agricultural production (M = 4.31), loss of lives and property (M = 4.28), displacement of residents (M = 4.24), decline in household income (M = 4.19), and increased poverty levels (M = 4.15). In terms of intervention measures, respondents identified increased deployment of security personnel (M = 4.22), community vigilance and vigilante groups (M = 4.18), intelligence gathering and information sharing (M = 4.12), and joint security operations (M = 4.09) as the most commonly adopted strategies for combating banditry.The study concluded that banditry has significantly undermined socio-economic development in rural communities of Chikun Local Government Area through its adverse effects on agriculture, livelihoods, security, and community well-being. The study recommends the implementation of sustainable poverty reduction and youth employment programmes, strengthening of security and intelligence mechanisms, and increased investment in rural development initiatives to address the root causes and consequences of banditry.
Keywords: Banditry, Insecurity, Socio-Economic Development, Rural Communities, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
| 12 |
Author(s):
ISREAL Anyebe Iteji.
Page No : 228-247
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Banditry and School Security: Implications for Educational Development in Kaduna State.
Abstract
This study examined the impact of banditry on school security and educational development in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Guided by the Frustration–Aggression Theory and Conflict Transformation Theory, the study investigated how persistent bandit attacks have affected school safety, enrolment, retention, and academic performance. A mixed-methods research design was adopted, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 400 respondents selected through stratified random sampling from banditry-prone Local Government Areas, complemented by key informant interviews and documentary sources. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. The findings revealed that banditry has severely undermined school security and educational development in Kaduna State. Frequent attacks on schools, kidnappings, and destruction of educational facilities created an atmosphere of fear that led to declining enrolment, increased dropout rates, prolonged school closures, and widespread displacement of learners and teachers. The study further found that persistent insecurity adversely affected students' academic performance through interrupted learning, absenteeism, psychological trauma, and reduced teacher availability. Inadequate security infrastructure, limited government response, and weak collaboration among stakeholders further exacerbated the vulnerability of schools. The study concludes that banditry poses a significant threat to educational development by weakening access to quality education and compromising the safety of learning environments. It recommends strengthening school security through improved security infrastructure, enhanced collaboration between security agencies and host communities, expanded psychosocial support for affected learners and teachers, and sustained government investment in education and youth empowerment programmes. These measures are essential for restoring confidence in the educational system and promoting sustainable educational development in Kaduna State.
Keywords: Banditry, School Security, Security, Educational Development, Academic Performance
| 13 |
Author(s):
ZAINAB Adam Muhammad.
Page No : 248-266
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Banditry and Rural Security Governance in North-West Nigeria: Implications for Nigeria’s Internal Security Strategy
Abstract
Banditry in North-West Nigeria has become a serious internal security challenge, affecting rural communities, highways, farms, schools and local economies. This paper examines how banditry interacts with rural security governance and what this means for Nigeria’s internal security strategy. It adopts a qualitative desk-based design supported by descriptive secondary data from academic studies, policy reports, community evidence, kidnapping data and displacement records. The analysis shows that banditry is expressed through kidnapping for ransom, cattle rustling, village raids, road extortion, illegal taxation, farm seizure, forced labour and forest-based mobility. These activities are sustained by criminal revenue sources, weak rural protection, limited policing reach, poor coordination, fragile local governance and uneven community security arrangements. The paper also shows that current responses, including military operations, police deployments, vigilante support and local negotiations, may disrupt bandit activity but have not fully addressed the rural governance conditions that allow violence to persist. The implications include weakened state authority, pressure on military forces, threats to food security, displacement, educational disruption and the growth of organised crime. The paper argues for integrated rural security planning that connects policing, intelligence, local governance, community trust, victim support and livelihood recovery.
Keywords: Banditry, rural security governance, North-West Nigeria, internal security, strategic studies, community policing, national security.
| 14 |
Author(s):
AHMAD Amina Abubakar.
Page No : 267-282
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The Political Economy of Violence and Security Governance in Plateau State, Nigeria
Abstract
The protracted crisis in Plateau State, north-central Nigeria, is one of the most enduring manifestations of subnational insecurity in West Africa's Middle Belt. Since the 2001 Jos riots, the state has experienced recurring cycles of ethno-religious rioting, rural farmer–herder violence, and, most recently, coordinated night-time attacks on farming communities, most notably the December 2023 Christmas Eve massacres in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu Local Government Areas, in which independent monitors confirmed well over 190 deaths. This study interrogates the structural drivers, evolving dynamics, and governance failures underpinning the conflict. Adopting a descriptive, mixed-methods design that combines qualitative document analysis with a review of conflict-event data reported by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), government agencies, and human-rights organisations, the paper situates the Plateau crisis within the broader frameworks of political economy, environmental scarcity, identity politics, and state fragility. The review indicates that the conflict is multi-causal, involving competition over land and grazing corridors, the institutionalisation of indigene–settler citizenship distinctions, elite manipulation of ethnic and religious identities, arms proliferation, and the limited territorial reach of state security architecture, including the military's Operation Safe Haven. Documented casualty and displacement figures across episodes in 2001, 2008, 2010, and 2023 reveal a shift from urban, election-linked rioting toward ruralised, asymmetric, and increasingly lethal violence, with reported fatalities for Plateau State between 2023 and 2025 alone estimated at over 2,600. The paper argues that sustainable peace in Plateau State requires a shift from reactive, militarised responses toward integrated security-sector reform, land and grazing governance reform anchored on the National Livestock Transformation Plan, and structural socio-economic and legal reforms addressing indigeneity-based exclusion.
Keywords: Plateau State; Nigeria; farmer–herder conflict; indigene–settler divide; political economy of violence; security governance; state fragility.
| 15 |
Author(s):
IBIAMA Tonye Furo, OGUNLEYE OLutosin Adebayo.
Page No : 283-307
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The Role of Leadership in Enhancing Military Cybersecurity and Information Management Systems: A Study of the Nigerian Army Cyberwarfare Command
Abstract
This study examined the role of leadership in enhancing Information Management Systems (IMS) in the Nigerian Army. It investigated the cybersecurity leadership strategies employed in the NA and assessed their effectiveness in enhancing information management in military systems. The study anchored on the Transformational Leadership Theory and adopted a convergent parallel mixed-methods design to select Nigerian Army formations with cybersecurity and information management responsibilities. A sample of 404 respondents was purposively selected from an estimated population of 10,000 personnel using a multi-stage sampling approach. Quantitative data were collected from 386 respondents through structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained through 18 key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings from both strands were triangulated to provide a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity leadership practices within the NA. The findings revealed that the NA utilises a combination of situational, authoritative and transformational leadership strategies in managing cybersecurity operations, with situational and transformational leadership being the most dominant. The findings also showed that respondents perceive cybersecurity leadership as a critical factor associated with the effectiveness of IMS and NA. The study recommends the institutionalisation of a cybersecurity leadership development framework and the establishment of an integrated cybersecurity coordination and incidence response system in the NA for improved IMS.
Keywords: Cybersecurity, Information Management Systems, Nigerian Army, Military Effectiveness, National Security.
| 16 |
Author(s):
OBASI Asoh.
Page No : 308-330
|
Regional Police: A Panacea to Insecurity in Nigeria (A Case Study of Amotekun)
Abstract
Nigeria’s escalating insecurity, driven by kidnapping, banditry, insurgency, and farmer-herder violence, has exposed the chronic failure of the constitutionally centralised Nigeria Police Force, characterised by delayed response, poor local intelligence, and eroded public trust. This study critically examines regional policing as a potential remedy, using Operation Amotekun (2020–2025) as a single critical case. Employing a qualitative-dominant mixed-methods design, the research analyses legal texts, official reports, crime statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics and independent monitors, perception surveys, and human rights documentation through thematic analysis, descriptive statistics, and process-tracing. Findings reveal that Amotekun produced dramatic reductions in kidnapping (from 243 cases in 2019 to an estimated 30–35 in 2025), halved regional homicide rates, virtually eliminated mass highway abductions, and restored public confidence from 31 % to 74 % in the South-West, far outperforming zones without similar structures. These gains stemmed from local recruitment, rapid-response capabilities, and community intelligence networks. However, persistent legal ambiguity, documented human rights violations, funding instability, political instrumentalisation, and jurisdictional friction with federal agencies severely limit the model’s sustainability. The study concludes that while Amotekun proves the superiority of decentralised policing in Nigeria’s context, it is not a panacea. It recommends urgent constitutional amendment to establish properly regulated state police services with independent oversight, equitable federal funding, and mandatory professional standards to transform Nigeria’s broken security architecture.
Keywords: Amotekun, Regional Policing, Insecurity, Decentralised policing, State police.
| 17 |
Author(s):
OKEKE, Ebele Valentina , AGUIYI, Chukwuebuka C.
Page No : 331-346
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Police Reform and Public Trust in Nigeria: Examining the Effect of Police-Community Partnerships on Crime Reduction in Enugu State
Abstract
This study examined the effect of police-community partnership on crime reduction in Enugu State, Nigeria, within the broader context of police reform and public trust. The study was anchored on Procedural Justice Theory, which emphasizes fairness, legitimacy, trust, and cooperation in police-citizen relationships. A survey research design was adopted, with data collected through a structured questionnaire from 320 respondents in the Enugu State Police Command. Descriptive statistics, including frequency distributions, percentages, means and standard deviations, were used to analyse the research question, while simple linear regression was employed to test the hypothesis. The descriptive findings revealed a positive perception of police-community partnership and its contribution to crime reduction, with an aggregate mean of approximately 3.39 on a five-point Likert scale. The study found out that effective police-community partnerships significantly contribute to crime reduction in Enugu State. The study recommends the institutionalisation of community-oriented policing, strengthened stakeholder engagement, improved community-based intelligence sharing, continuous professional training for police personnel, and greater integration of community participation into security planning and police reform initiatives. The study concludes that police-community partnership represents an important strategy for improving police effectiveness, strengthening public trust, and promoting sustainable crime reduction in Enugu State.
Keywords: Police reform, public trust, police-community partnership, crime reduction, community policing.
