Crime, Violence and Security Challenge in Nigeria: Implication on National Development Since 1960

Abstract

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country with a population of over 200 million people. With such a large number of people, security challenges could be said to be inevitable. Also expected is a proper response from law enforcement agencies to ensure the security of lives and properties. Regrettably however, there is an increased dimension in the patterns and trends of crime and other forms of insecurity in Nigeria on a geometric rate which constitutes serious threat to lives and properties, hinders business activities and discourages local and foreign investors. This paper is historical; hence, it adopted a qualitative method of analysis. Useful pieces of information were obtained from important relevant documents, reports and array of secondary sources. Nigerians expect that leadership should guarantee the security of the people who in return will be law abiding. But this is not achieved due to series of crime, violence and insecurity in the country. It is becoming worrisome that people sleep with one of their eyes open. The paper thus argues that the reason is that state institutions and agencies are not effective and efficient. The country has not been able to fulfill its potentials due to the existence of threats in the polity. The paper further argues that this ugly situation has given Nigeria a bad name. Investors are cautious of coming to a country where their lives and investments are not safe. The therefore recommends that the rising wave of violent crime in Nigeria must be properly checked otherwise it could be detrimental to socio-political cum economic development of the country.