Domestic Terrorism and National Security in Nigeria: a Critical Analysis of Hostage-taking and Kidnapping
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are;
- Establish the relationship between domestic terrorism and national security
- Examine the impact of hostage-taking and kidnapping on the national security of Nigeria
- Identify the issues encountered by the various security agencies in combating the incidence of hostage taking and kidnapping in Nigeria and proffer strategies to address these issues.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Domestic terrorism aims at creating disaffection among institutions in the state while national security stands as the only instrument in the possession of the government and state to thwart any threat to its existence and threats to humanity within its entity. The main purpose of national security is to counter both the internal (domestic) and external (international) behaviours that might threaten the survival of the state and its citizenry. Oyeniyi, (2009:12) in his work on the‘Historical Overview of Domestic Terrorism in Nigeria” opined that: “Domestic terrorism has an uneven growth in Nigeria it manifests in civil government situation as well as in inter-relationships between the different ethnic nationalities making up present Nigeria in form of ethnic or ethno-religious crisis with negative consequences on the national security of Nigeria (2009:12) To Oyeniyi, domestic terrorism in the post-colonial Nigeria manifests itself as ethnic nationalism and militancy such as the age graders and other community based bodies. These bodies later metamorphosed into the political and social development tools of these areas as some of the groups later turned to interest groups. Oyeniyi argued that because of the precarious security situation in the country whereby the police were overwhelmed, many vigilante organizations were formed to improve on the security situation in their countries (Oyeniyi 2009:14). He further argued that the emergence of the bodies like the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra(MASSOB), O’dua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People(MASSOP), Movement for the Emancipation of Niger-Delta (MEND) and the recent insurgence by the Boko Haram terrorist group were as a result of the insecurity problem in the country. With dozens of these armed groups in the name of vigilantes, the role of the state security agents have been summarily usurped. A situation whereby vigilante organizations take over the role of the state security agents shows the failure of the security system in the country and, hence, the adverse effects on the national security (Oyeniyi 2009:15). Although Oyeniyi argued that the precarious situation in Nigeria informed the formation of vigilante groups, his work, however, failed to cover the impact of the activities of these vigilante groups on the country’s national security. The state derives tremendous power from its claim to be the guardian of national security, power over resources and imposition of extra-ordinary measures on citizens. Since the role of the state is to provide security to its citizenry from any threat, whether violence within or without, it is seen as the only institution capable of providing that security on the face of an anarchical domestic environment of an armed state (Terif et al 2009:145).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to domestic terrorism and national security in Nigeria: a critical analysis of hostage-taking and kidnapping
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
Primary source and Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain domestic terrorism and national security in Nigeria: a critical analysis of hostage-taking and kidnapping
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of domestic terrorism and national security in Nigeria: a critical analysis of hostage-taking and kidnapping
Summary
This study was on domestic terrorism and national security in Nigeria: a critical analysis of hostage-taking and kidnapping. Three objectives were raised which included; Establish the relationship between domestic terrorism and national security, examine the impact of hostage-taking and kidnapping on the national security of Nigeria, identify the issues encountered by the various security agencies in combating the incidence of hostage taking and kidnapping in Nigeria and proffer strategies to address these issues. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 residents of selected local government in Bayelsa state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made youths, men, women and civil servants was used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
It has been argued in this paper that domestic terrorism in the Niger Delta region is a consequence of the long years of negligence, real and perceived marginalization of the oil producing communities and the nonchalant attitude of the oil companies to environmental safety. It is directed at the Nigerian state and the multinational oil companies rather than against the national interest of any nation. Therefore, the Niger Delta question in Nigeria is peculiar and domestic though it may have international implications. From all sides of the divide, it calls for a careful understanding of the issues involved, and the strategies being applied. The problem is for the Federal government to solve. Repressive state policies or military solution cannot be the right panacea but a determined effort, devoid of rhetoric, to promote social justice and equity; to stem the tide of environmental devastation and ecological destruction going on in the Niger Delta. Though the establishment of special commission like the defunct OMPADEC and the current NDDC is a welcome development, it is necessary for the government to monitor and constantly evaluate the activities of such agency in order to determine whether its stated achievement is commensurate with the fund released. This will further check financial recklessness, mismanagement and corruption that have bedeviled all government agencies in the country. Most of the redistributive policies failed because they were conceived and adopted at a level far too removed from the people. Hence, there is need for community involvement in policies designed to affect their lives.
Recommendation
There is need for a clear and coherent national policy on terrorism. Akin to this, a well-trained antiterrorism squad must be created from the Nigerian Army, Air Force, Navy, Police and State Security Service. The role of these security organizations must be clearly stated in order to prevent duplicity and conflict of functions. This is necessary and critical to Nigeria’s preparedness to contain the development and spread of terror acts to other zones (more especially the Northern states where cases of terrorism have been reported in the recent time) that are prone to terrorism.
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