Insecurity in Nigeria: An Assessment of Government Responses to Terrorism and Banditry
1Ogbuka Ikenna Matthew, 2Anikwe Johnson Azubike and 3Eneasato Benjamin Onyekachi
1,2,3Department of Political Science, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
Insecurity in Nigeria, driven by terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts, has intensified over the past decade, resulting in widespread fatalities, abductions, and internal displacement. This study examines government responses to these threats, assessing their effectiveness in mitigating violence and promoting national security. Using a mixed-method approach, the research integrates quantitative data from official reports (2020–2025) and qualitative insights from policy documents and scholarly literature. Findings reveal a persistent upward trend in security incidents and casualties, particularly in the North-West and North-East regions, despite ongoing military interventions. Mass abductions and socio-economic deprivation continue to exacerbate vulnerability, while governance and institutional limitations undermine strategic responses. The study highlights that military approaches alone are insufficient, and emphasizes the need for integrated security policies combining tactical operations, community-based interventions, and socio-economic development programs. Policy implications include the strengthening of community policing, establishment of early-warning systems, and targeted socio-economic initiatives for high-risk areas. The study concludes that sustainable peace requires a coordinated, multi-dimensional strategy addressing both the symptoms and root causes of insecurity in Nigeria.
Keywords: Insecurity, terrorism, banditry, government response, Nigeria, policy implications
CITE AS: Ogbuka Ikenna Matthew, Anikwe Johnson Azubike and Eneasato Benjamin Onyekachi (2026). Insecurity in Nigeria: An Assessment of Government Responses to Terrorism and Banditry. INOSR ARTS AND HUMANITIES 12(1):22-28. https://doi.org/10.59298/INOSRAH/2026/1212228