AQUINO VOLUME3 ISSUE 3 JUNE 2023 Abstract This inquiry interrogates the phenomenon of insecurity in Nigeria. The study admits that for decades, insecurity not only abounds in Nigeria but hampers legitimate ventures and meaningful business activities. The paper avows that this ugly phenomenon has tremendous and dire effects on national development. Since insecurity is an ill-wind that blows in no good, this inquiry investigates insecurity in Nigeria to ascertain its causes, nature and consequences on national development. The study analytically finds that insecurity is one of the most outstanding challenges plaguing Nigerian State and its sustainable development. This is as it scares foreign and local investors, hinders business and developmental strides, and impacts negatively on human living condition. The study notes that the spate of insecurity in Nigeria will persist because of its unaddressed propelling factors, Governments' poor approach and unwillingness to curb insecurity, and the unmotivated law enforcement agencies within the country. Key Words: Analysis, Development, Insecurity, Nigeria, Philosophical Introduction In her pristine period, Nigeria was among Africa's fast developing countries. Recently, Nigeria is on her downward un-developing plunge due to the increasing insecurity in the country. Based on her spate of insecurity, some societal institutions and infrastructures have become archaic or moribund, while others have remained weak and insufficient signs of national development. (Aluta, 2021). Worst still, the momentum of insecurity is far from abetting. Yet, successive Nigerian leadership is not harnessing the latest technologies for efficient security of the country. This is despite the designation of national insecurity as a major issue in Government and allocation of huge amount to it (Aluta, 2021). This neglect is in fact demonstrated by Governments' low rates of ICT penetration in the curbing of insecurity in the country (Aluta, 2021). This is too demonstrated in Government's “wanting, selective, disequilibrium, reactive rather than proactive” measures against insecurity in the country (Chinweuba & Nwobodo, 2022, p.34). The implication is that Nigerian State has not confronted frontally and decisively the pandemic insecurity in the country. As such, Nigerian society is now fraught with unprecedented kinds of insecurity such as conflicts, terrorism, cultism, violence, robbery, 42 A PHILOSOPHICAL ANALYSIS OF INSECURITY IN NIGERIA AND ITS EFFECTS ON NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHARLES NWEKE, PH.D. DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA AND FRANCIS MICHAEL OKECHUKWU ENYOSIOBI DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA kidnapping, banditry, militancy, swindling, to mention but a few. The national concern over insecurity predicates on the fact that security is the fulcrum of business activities and economic growth (Omode & Omode, 2015). Thus, an insecure society like Nigeria repels foreign and domestic investments, and turns existing economic activities to its low level. With this situation, national income remains at the low level, and national development which depends on this income remains a mirage. In congruence with this reality, Nwanegbo and Odigbo (2013) aver that insecurity is the pillar upon which every meaningful development would not be achieved or sustained in human society. Aside the unprecedented series of agitations visible in kidnapping and abduction, armed robberies, bombing, and carnages in the past decades, Nigerian State is now faced with terrorism which is the most dastard of all insecurities. This has spread even in the hinterlands with unimaginable frequency and intensity. As such, human lives and properties are wasted on daily basis; a gory sight that envelope the citizenry with apprehension and uncertainty. In all these, national development has remained a mere dream; fading away at the dawn of each insecure day. The situation is today worse as human safety and protection of properties are now not guaranteed. Yet, the poor governance, corruption and unemployment in the country exacerbate the fragile situation making the country a lasting theatre of insecurity. What then are the dire consequences of persistent insecurity on Nigerian national development? What are the causes and nature of insecurity in Nigeria? These worries from time-to-time form subjects of national discourse; hence this study approaches them from philosophical perspective. Understanding the concepts of Insecurity and Development Insecurity is a social disorder; a symptom of some anti-social and criminal activities. Insecurity is the antithesis of security. It is the condition of being susceptible to danger, loss, harm, injury or pain. It is the state of vulnerability to harm and loss of life, property or livelihood. Insecurity is the anxiety one experiences when one feels unsafe, vulnerable or prone to danger, loss, harm, injury or pain. It is a societal condition replete with tensions, perplexity and apprehensions. As such, Beland (2005) defines insecurity as the state of fear or anxiety stemming from a concrete or alleged lack of protection. Aluta (2021) alludes to this idea, opining that insecurity is “the state of fear or anxiety, stemming from a concrete or alleged lack of protection, a lack of or inadequate freedom from danger” (p. 1). Insecurity thus refers to “lack or inadequate freedom from danger; a state of being open or subject to danger or threat of danger, where danger is the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury, state of being exposed to risk or anxiety, where anxiety is a vague unpleasant emotion that is experienced in anticipation of some misfortune” (Achumba, Ighomereho, & Akpor-Robaro, 2013, p.80). Moreover, Akin (2008) insinuates that insecurity encapsulates the situation that exists as a result of absence of measures for the protection of persons, information and property against hostile forces; persons, influences and actions. Thus, insecurity is the existence of harmful conditions within which people cannot go about their normal daily activities without threats to their lives or properties. It embraces situations of poor or no protection 43 Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023 ISSN: 2786-9792 June and safety of the citizenry, resources, businesses and the nation at large against sabotage or violent occurrences. It is too a situation of instability, non predictability of daily life, protection from crime, and freedom from psychological harm. Insecurity is thus the presence of threats as well as the inability of State actors to rise to the challenges posed by those threats with expediency and expertise. From the above discourses, it stands that the word “insecurity” is a condition created by criminal activities and the threats resulting from them. Insecurity is thus not actually the criminal activities, but the general understanding of the atmosphere created by the criminal activities; an atmosphere that portends threat, danger and harm. This means that insecurity is propelled by crimes. Hence, insecurity is the implication of criminal activities; a state of uncertainty and fear regarding the safety of people in the society; their properties and ventures. This state of uncertainty is inculcated by persistent criminal activities within a society. Based on this meaning, Omede and Omede (2015) view insecurity as the tension resulting from the criminal activities of Boko Haram, militants, ethnic militias, kidnappers, armed robbers, and others. At the heart of civil society however is national development. This is a situation where societal infrastructures and amenities are consistently in place and functional. These infrastructures include good roads, schools, healthcare system and public services. Development also points to adequate “provision of human basic needs of health care, clean water, shelter, food, economic opportunities, welfare packages, better living conditions and equal economic opportunities among the people” (Chinweuba, 2019, p.249). Development as well involves the “stable and tremendous growth of Gross National Product (GNP) and Gross National Income (GNI) which constitute the revenue and wealth of a country” (Chinweuba, 2019, p.248). This means that a society starts under developing once it cannot sustain its income and provide sufficient basic amenities, economic opportunities and freedom for the greater number of its population. Insecurity in Nigerian Society Insecurity in Nigerian society is visible in the poor protection of the country from crime and the prevalent human vulnerability to psychological and physical harm. This is why Aluta (2021) argues that insecurity is not only the prevalence of threats, but the inability of Nigerian State actors to rise to the challenges posed by these threats with expediency and expertise. Omode and Omode (2015) allude to this meaning maintaining that: the speed with which evil is growing in Nigeria and the merciless ways that lives of innocent ones are being wasted are worrisome. People are burdened on a daily basis with psychological and emotional trauma resulting from gory sights of lifeless and mutilated bodies of loved family members, close associates and colleagues littered on the streets (p.120). 44 NWEKE & ENYOSIOBI A Philosophical Analysis Of Insecurity In Nigeria... The condition of insecurity has been in Nigeria from its pristine time, yet it has in recent time taken a new turn. Thus, every year records an unprecedented case of the spate of insecurity in the country; a record characterized by geometric progression. Insecurity in Nigeria has however become visible in the existence of the activities of anti-social and criminal groups like; Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorism, Fulani herdsmen menace, Unknown Gun Men (UGM) activities, incessant human kidnappings, security forces' extra judicial arrests/killings, banditry, fraudulent actions and armed robbery alongside the law-abiding citizens and their legitimate activities. From East to West and North to South therefore, evidence of insecurity in Nigeria is seen in the killing and maiming of innocent people, kidnapping, banditry, swindling, robbery, etc., that abound in various nooks and crannies of the society. This is such that since Nigerian return to democratic rule, many lives and properties have been lost to activities culminating in insecurity. The Vanguard newspaper of May 18, 2014 put the death toll at more than 12,000 with more than 8000 injured or maimed while thousands of other innocent Nigerians displaced. According to Okpaga (2012) however, between July 27, 2009 and February 17, 2012, Boko Haram carried out not less than 53 deadly attacks. These are heightened by the violent ethnic, tribal, political and religious violent situations. These are now exacerbated by the criminal activities of Unknown Gun Men (UGM), Niger Delta militants, kidnappers, pipeline vandals, armed robbers, drug traffickers, cultists, yahoo-yahoo syndicates, Fulani herdsmen and arsonists. This condition has unabatedly continued even in recent time where these attacks and similar ones are creating widespread insecurity among the citizenry and hampering development activities. Accenting to the reality of these insecurity situations, Olumuyiwa, Adeoye and Sultan (2019) observe that; Within the last decades, Nigeria has been engulfed in different ethno-religious and political violence resulting in ample human casualties and material losses. The country has witnessed other forms of violent confrontations; the most heinous has been terrorism, unleashed by the Islamic group called Boko Haram. The sect has taken North-East Nigeria under siege and continues to undermine Nigerian statehood as well as its authoritative use of instrument of coercion (p. 29). These activities indeed resonate Thomas Hobbes' famous dictum: “man for man is basically selfish and is moved to action not by his intellect but by his appetites, desires and passions”. Causes of Insecurity in Nigeria Insecurity is a symptom of anti-social or criminal activities. As such, the causes of insecurity are the crimes that give rise to it. Sources of these crimes in Nigeria are however traceable to a number of factors. Among these factors is the failure of successive Nigerian Governments to provide good governance (Igbuzor, 2011). This has resulted to 45 Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023 ISSN: 2786-9792 June institutional failure or what Fukuyama (2004) calls breakdown of institutional infrastructures. As such, societal institutions in Nigeria has now become shaky, and the result is the paralysis of the existing set of social constraints; the societal rules and code of conduct that once held social order. Governments' failure manifesting in the poor delivery of public goods, services and basic needs also create a hunger situation that make people easily recruited for nefarious activities that lead to insecurity. The poor human condition resulting from Governments' failure also creates a pool of frustrated people that are akin to violence at a slight provocation. Another cause of insecurity in Nigeria is the pervasive social unfairness, material inequalities and disparities in life opportunities. These are giving rise to grievances, disaffection and resentment in a large number of people. This is more so as it is perceived to be stemming from obvious marginalization perpetuated by those in government. In reference to this reality, Onuoha (2011) reveals that a large number of Nigerians especially the youths are frustrated, and have lost hope in Nigerian State. This disillusionment is now being expressed in anti-social activities that culminate in insecurity. Insecurity is also brought by ethno-religious conflicts that constantly rises from distrust, struggle for hegemony and dominance among various ethnic and religious groups in the country. Thus, the various ethnic and religious groups in Nigeria lack cordiality and are laden with mutual suspicion and apprehension that frequently manifest in violent confrontation and insecurity (Achumba, et al., 2013). Similar crises that result to insecurity also arise from diverse Nigerians' political consciousness and identity, quest to acquire political power and exercise control over national resources and the nation at large. Since independence, there has been little rapport between the Nigerian public and successive Governments. This is visible in the masses not being carried along or allowed to participate fully in governance. Moreover, draconian policies and austerity measures are brought to bear on the public without public opinion or consent. Along with these are Governments' neglect of the increasing poverty; unemployment, environmental degradation, injustice, corruption and small arms proliferation in the country. These are coupled by despotism which regularly rears its ugly head in Nigerian so-called democracy. These situations have provoked violent reactions from the public which develops into full blown insecurity. A typical instance of such violent reactions was the “END SARS” violent movement that swept away security formations in Nigerian society in 2020. Apart from these, insecurity in Nigeria is exacerbated by general loss of cultural and communal values. The traditional values in many Nigerian cultures were replete with endearing features of collectivism, loyalty to authority and community, truthfulness, honesty, hard work, mutual harmony, abhorrence of theft, high value for life, tolerance and love for one another. Chinweuba (2019) reveals that these values made Nigerian society safe and secure but 46 NWEKE & ENYOSIOBI A Philosophical Analysis Of Insecurity In Nigeria... the dilapidating nature of these systems have also broken the age long moral resolve of various people thereby propelling people to detach from culturally appreciated values and traditions. With this development, the internal equilibrium of personhood and the interiority of the being of the individual in Nigerian communities which derives from the culturally appreciated values and traditions that play crucial role of national integration, social control and bond between the individual and other members of the community is broken. The result of these is intrinsic crisis on the part of the individual which eventually develops to groups and communal conflicts (p. 63). Enhancing the spate of insecurity in Nigeria is also the porous borders through which migrants' movements are inadequately unchecked. With this, there is unchecked influx of weapons and criminal elements from neighbouring countries into Nigeria. This weapon proliferation enables criminal groups to have easy access to arms with which they foster insecurity (Hazen and Horner, 2007). Thus, Nigeria is estimated to be housing over seventy percent of illegal weapons in West Africa (Edeko, 2011). Coupled with this is the prevailing internal rural/urban drift which sees jobless and unskilled youths migrating to the urban centres from the hinterlands. The frustration of these youths stemming from their inability to get well paid jobs or gainful employment often endears them to crimes which cause insecurity. In congruence with this, Nwagboso (2012) maintains that the failure of successive Nigerian Governments to address the challenges of poverty and unemployment is one of the major causes of insecurity in the country. In some parts of Nigeria like the Niger Delta, the neglect of social responsibilities by multinational companies and successive Nigerian government also leads to youth restiveness and criminal activities that stoke insecurity. Nweke (2013) refers to this Niger Delta question as “the paradoxical condition of the Niger Delta”, positing that the oil in Niger Delta accounts for over ninety percent of Nigerian revenue. Yet, the indigenes are unemployed, impoverished, isolated and marginalized to a level below the World Bank's benchmark. As such, seventy two percent of families in the Niger Delta area are within the poverty brackets. Hazen and Horner (2007) therefore describe this situation as 'Paradox of Plenty'. This is a situation where the country earns a great deal of revenue through oil sales, but fails to use these earnings to meet the needs of its people and to develop infrastructure as well as the economy. This is coupled by decades of poor governance that creates poor human conditions and makes people vulnerable to actions that constitute insecurity. Coupled with the aforementioned factors, insecurity in Nigeria is exacerbated by the weak security system in the country. This results from inadequate equipment of the security agencies seen in the poor provision of weaponry, manpower and training. This has consistently led to the poor attitudinal and behavioural disposition and nonchalance of security personnel towards insecurity in the country. It has also resulted to security 47 Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023 ISSN: 2786-9792 June personnel assigned to deal with given security situations not having the expertise, professionalism and equipment necessary to effectively handle the situations. Due to poor training, many security personnel are even swallowed by ethnic, religious, communal or personal sentiments and interests rather than service to the nation. Thus, instead of being national watch dogs and defending national interest and values, and protecting people from harm by criminals, they soon become saboteurs of government effort, by supporting and fuelling insecurity through either leaking vital security information or aiding and abetting criminals to acquire weapons or to escape the long arm of the law” (Achumba, et al., 2013, p. 82). From the discourses above, it stands that what causes insecurity in Nigeria are criminal activities and crimes. The experience and knowledge of these crimes coupled with the irresponsiveness of law enforcement agencies inculcates the sense of insecurity on the members of the society. Despite these, insecurity is as well caused by poor Government policies and approaches to national issues that affect the public. This is coupled by Nigerian modernization process that truncates peoples' normal way of life because it is complex, disordered and crises-laden. Yet, Nigerian State “lacks functional, effective and necessary institutions or palliatives required in cushioning and managing the stress, crises, suffering and other effects of societal modernization” (Chinweuba, 2021, p. 28). In these situations, people are faced with insecurity stemming from their fear of losing their possessions. Insecurity is however exacerbated by poor education, poor infrastructure, inadequate basic amenities, increasing unemployment, inflation, poverty, materialism, corrupt practices, youth restiveness victimization, marginalization, domination, exploitation and display of impunity replete in Nigerian society. Nature of Insecurity in Nigerian Society Insecurity in Nigeria happens is physical and psychological ways. Crimes reflect the physical insecurity which is the most visible form of insecurity. Yet, physical insecurity feeds the psychological dimension of insecurity that lingers in peoples' minds. The speed with which insecurity is growing in Nigeria and the merciless ways innocent lives are being wasted however makes insecurity in Nigeria quite peculiar. Thus, people are burdened on daily basis with psychological and emotional trauma resulting from gory sights of lifeless and mutilated bodies of loved family members, close associates and colleagues littered on the streets. Insecurity in Nigeria however displays a disregard to the rule of law and sanctity of human life. This is why of great concern to Nigerians is the brutality and impunity with which insecurity is unleashed on the innocent public. Generally, therefore, insecurity is unleashed by organized and formidable intolerant groups. This display is often characterized by the indignifying, degrading and disdainful manner in which the innocent victims are treated. For instance, insecurity is often spurred by scenarios when the victims are stripped naked before they are gruesomely burnt, killed or cut in pieces Some of the victims are riddled with bullets while others are hacked to death 48 NWEKE & ENYOSIOBI A Philosophical Analysis Of Insecurity In Nigeria... with knives, machetes or small axes. Others had different parts of their bodies like hands, legs, nose, etc., amputated in gruesome manners. Some parts of the bodies of these victims like the head, eyes, penis, breasts, etc., are taken away while some are buried in shallow graves to conceal the act. Some of those buried in shallow graves are often exhumed by animals, weather or climatic conditions, and sight of them remains prompt reminders of the prevalent insecurity in the country (Chinweuba & Nwobodo, 2022, pp.36-37). Spectacularly, insecurity is characterized by spontaneous attacks. Some of these attacks happen at ungodly and unknown hours when the victims are unprepared and least expect them. Okoye (2019) attests that insecurity is also characterized by reckless killing of innocent people. Adding to these features are unending cases of kidnappings where victims are taken captive by the culprits and ransoms demanded are often offset by the friends or relatives of the victims to secure the victim's freedom. In some of the scenes of insecurity in Nigeria, some victims are often forced to watch as their relatives, children or friends are maimed or murdered in cold blood. These features of insecurity are indeed punctuated by incessant banditry and arson in which houses, cars, etc., of the victims are burnt and valuables like ornaments, documents, money, etc. are carted away. Apart from these, insecurity in Nigeria is also characterized by pandemonium, quagmire and dilemma that leaves trails of psychological trauma on the public and makes them feel uncertain about the future and their lives. Moreover, insecurity in Nigeria often drives people away from their locations, homes and communities. These victims often find themselves homeless or in internally displaced persons' camps (IDP) where life is precarious, uncertain, regrettable as the sense of insecurity continues to linger in their psyche. Rationale behind the Increasing Insecurity in Nigerian Society Part of the reasons behind the spate of insecurity in Nigeria is the unwillingness of Nigerian State actors to tackle the factors behind insecurity decisively. In this direction, the perpetrators of insecurity in some parts of the country are pampered by those in Government. As such, some of the trials of the captured perpetrators of insecurity eventually become a mirage. Many of such culprits from the northern part of the country termed repentant also appear to be more compensated by being recruited or absorbed into the national army. This is a consistent action that has now compromised the Nigerian law enforcement agencies' onslaught against insecurity. This has even made the law enforcement agents vulnerable to attacks in which many of them have lost their lives. On many occasions, the law enforcement agents had also been instructed not to attack or arrest culprits of insecurity especially in the north (Chinweuba & Nwobodo, 2022). This open bigotry also favours culprits sharing similar ethnicity, regions, faith and opinions with major stakeholders in Government. It thus stands that insecurity in Nigeria is being 49 Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023 ISSN: 2786-9792 June propelled by the “selective tolerance” of people in Government. “Selective tolerance” points to that tolerance applied only to perpetrators of insecurity from a particular group, race, religion, nation, zone and region” (Ding, 2015, p.30). It is on this reality that Olumuyiwa, et al., (2019) attest that Nigerian government has responded to…ethnic, religious, and political unrests with military approach, commission reports, and arrests. Yet, these measures have been effective, evident in the incessant armed insurrection in the country. In few cases where violence was settled, bringing perpetrators to justice becomes a mirage and government has failed to address the root causes of such conflicts (p.29). On the other hand, it is a known phenomenon that many Nigerian politicians use culprits of insecurity to achieve their nefarious purpose of capturing power during elections. These culprits are as well used by disgruntled Nigerian politicians to rig elections, cause mayhem during and after elections. It is on this note that some scholars argue that the unending insecurity situations in Nigeria “has a political undertone or inclination calculated to serve the interest of certain political gods, who have been dissatisfied and disgruntled about the political manifestations in the country” (Achumba, et al., 2013, p.79). Effects of Insecurity on National Development National development is the primary goal of every well meaning Government. This function is also essentially dependent on funds accruing from economic activities within the country. This means that “the GNP and GNI of every society are the tools used to foster social development that in turn enhances the existential condition of the citizenry” (Chinweuba, 2019, p. 248). A considerable level of economic activities is however enhanced by maximum security and stability within the society. Apart from the revenues needed for development, the survival of existent development is too dependent on the maximal security of the State. In both ways, insecurity has remained an outstanding bane of Nigerian national development. It hampers the role of Government in the society, threatens business activities and hinders Governments' generation of income. From every index; “the insecurity environment of business in Nigeria” obstructs the revenue of Government and weakens its funding of infrastructures that stand as national development (Achumba, et al., 2013, p. 83). Thus, an insecure environment of business with variables like theft, armed robbery, kidnapping, assassination, bombings, etc., deprives Nigerian society of required funds. Therefore, the Nigerian insecurity situation can, and in many cases, actually halted business operations during the periods of violence and also caused the outright closure of many enterprises especially in the areas or zones where incidences of insecurity is rife and are on daily occurrence, in a bid to protect lives of operators and business property. Generally, if there is no peace 50 NWEKE & ENYOSIOBI A Philosophical Analysis Of Insecurity In Nigeria... and security, it is extremely difficult for businesses to survive. Ordinary citizens having small and medium scale businesses cannot open shops for business transactions (Achumba, et al., 2013, p.89). This amounts to halting of Government revenues and by extension national development. Besides making life miserable for Nigerians, the unprecedented spate of insecurity in the country gives the damaging signal to the international community and potential investors that Nigeria is a high-risk zone and thus not safe, secure and suitable for investment and business activities. Based on this, many foreign firms and entrepreneurs decline to invest and do business in Nigeria (Chinweuba, 2021). As such, Nigerian government now grapples with little foreign direct investment whose returns are insufficient for the enormous national development at hand. The spate of insecurity in Nigeria also affects the so many domestic businesses operating in the country; thereby depriving the State of the required financial revenue which would have been used for national development. Some of the sources of this insecurity like terrorist bombings have even led to enormous loss of life, public infrastructure and property that constitute the existing national development. With these, the implication is that insecurity prevailing conundrum in Nigeria negatively affects the organizations' of business activities, the entire business organization, business operations; production, marketing, finance, human resource and Government revenue. These notwithstanding, insecurity discourage Government investment and make proposed investment unattractive to people in Government. This is based on the conviction that insecurity prevents conducive environment for its development and existence. Similarly, insecure situation increases the cost of national development either through direct loss of goods and properties or the cost of taking precautions against the risks of insecurity and the prevalent uncertainty within the society. From general observations therefore, successive Nigerian Governments spend whooping amounts to ensure the security of the citizenry, Government's personnel and infrastructures. This cost has serious impact on national development as it reduces the fund allocated to it. As such, insecurity remains a drain on national resources at the expense of other sectors of national development like health, education, infrastructures, etc. Nevertheless, insecurity is seen limiting Nigerian available human resources. This is as it triggers migration of skilled resources leading to dearth in skilled labour. The fear of insecurity limits people's ability to work effectively and consequently hinders their general contribution to national development. There are also occasions where skilled people become victims of attack and the nation losses experienced human resources. As such, human resources are seen migrating out of Nigeria leaving the country with manpower shortage that does not augur well for efficient national development. In these directions, insecurity frustrates “economic and technological transformation keeping Nigeria in a perpetual state of economic dependence, loss of productive human resources and general apathy and discontentment” (Omede & Omede, 2015, p. 121). It then repackages the country into Hobbesian state of nature where life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short” (Hobbes, 1985, p.186). 51 Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023 ISSN: 2786-9792 June Towards Security and Nigerian National Development The fight against insecurity in Nigeria has been reactive, devoid of proactive measures and modern innovation. This is why it is not yielding lasting results. In order to curb insecurity therefore, the Federal Government has to sincerely criminalize incidences that leads to crime and criminals has to be treated equally. This is necessary as selective tolerance over crime by present Nigerian Government has not ameliorated the increasing insecurity in the country. However, it is more efficient to tackle insecurity from its sources. Thus, sources of insecurity like national injustice, inequity, marginalization, poverty, unemployment, environmental degradation, corruption, porous borders, small arms proliferation and human general dissatisfaction has to be addressed. Efforts to tackle insecurity in Nigeria will therefore be effective when there is a sincere Government intervention that addresses human challenges and dissatisfaction of the vast majority of Nigerian population. This intervention has become germane as victims of Government neglect have continued to suffer deprivation and injustice; a condition still leading to gross dissatisfaction and disaffection that contribute to insecurity. To curb the menace of insecurity therefore requires visionary leadership. This is a leadership that is detribalized and able to inculcate in the followers the idea of common citizenship. It is then imperative for Nigeria to have leaders who would not be limited to championing egoistic and frivolous ends but goals that impact positively on the citizenry. Only such leaders will mould into harmony the conflicting ethnic and religious aspirations that truncate mutual trust and societal security. Good governance is thus a fervent panacea to insecurity challenges in Nigeria. The war against insecurity in Nigeria would therefore be won by raising governance standards. This can be done by cultivating the culture of good governance where the government is responsible, responsive and accountable to the people. This is true as insecurity is not dissociated from poor governance and its resultant poor human condition. Good governance therefore determines peace and security as it drives collective wellbeing through planned, effectively implemented policies and human development programs. Besides, there is great need for a paradigm shift of values from the current order which has driven people to activities that result to insecurity. This is because functional values play positive roles in curbing insecurity in a country. Nigeria can therefore get it right as a nation only when her values are right. Along this lane, Government at all levels are to seek a better understanding of the underlying causes and dynamics of the insecurity in the country with the aim of providing effective conflict prevention and management strategies to diverse groups and tribes. To overcome insecurity also, there is great need for intelligence gathering and surveillance. This will help the law enforcement agents to be proactive and reasonably predict potential crime with near-perfect accuracy rather than being reactive. Along with this, the fight against insecurity requires the use of modern Computer-based Closed Circuit Television cameras (CCTV). This will enhance surveillance, investigation of criminal activities, raising of criminal alarms, broadening of security tips, disrupting of potential attacks and strengthening of the security system. Along this lane, Government must continue to engage the security agencies, avail them of modern technological devices for combating crime and ensure their capacity building to NWEKE & ENYOSIOBI A Philosophical Analysis Of Insecurity In Nigeria... 52 meet the global standard. Government must too modernize the security agencies with training, intelligence sharing, advance technology, logistics, motivation and orientation necessary for their performance. This should be accompanied by provision of incentives, good conditions of service, and social security. The necessity of these lies in the fact that these will enhance operational capabilities and prompt responses of Nigerian security agencies to insecurity challenges. The Government must embark on a serious orientation that will make the citizenry understand that security is everybody's business. The citizenry must be made to see the threats insecurity constitutes to every organization, civil society groups and individuals. Everybody must be then convinced to fight insecurity in order to achieve enabling environment where genuine ventures will be free, safe and secure. Conclusion This treatise explores the spate of insecurity in Nigeria to determine especially its impacts on national development. The study discovers that insecurity is a scenario of uncertainty and fear regarding human life and property. This scenario can apart from criminal activities be created by poor government policies, austerity measures and approach to national issues which portend dire effects on public life. The resulting insecurity not only affects individual investments but also national development. As such, insecurity is linked to national under-development. This is as it prevents conducive environment necessary for infrastructural development, and destroys existing infrastructures that stand as national development. Under the condition of peace and security however, people and government can direct their efforts and resources towards improving human life and infrastructures. The best means to curb insecurity then is to tackle its propelling sources. This is the area Nigerian Governments has neglected for so long; hence the spate of insecurity in the country. And coupling with this neglect is the Nigerian Governments' unwillingness or inability to decisively confront crimes in some parts of the country. As such, Nigerian State has been consistently ranked low in the Global Peace Index (GPI). REFERENCES Achumba, I. C., Ighomereho, O. S., & Akpor-Robaro, M. O. M. (2013). “Security Challenges in Nigeria and the Implications for Business Activities and Sustainable Development”. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development 4(2), Aluta, C. 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