INSURGENCY AND NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA: AN INTRODUCTORY ANALYSIS

The 1648 Treaty of Westphalia designed a state system on the twin-principles of territoriality and sovereignty. Sovereignty accords the state unquestionable but legitimate control over the nation and polity, and gives it the latitude to preserve and protect its territorial domain from both internal and external threats. However, asides the fact that globalisation and the internationalisation of the globe have reduced the primacy of these dual principles, there have also been the problem of ideological and terrorist networks that have taken advantage of the instruments of globalization to emerge and threaten state sovereignty and its preservation. The security and sovereignty of the Nigerian State have been under threat as a result of the emergence and activities of insurgent groups, such as Boko Haram in the Northeast and other militant groups in other parts of the country. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, this paper examines the security challenges Nigeria faces from insurgency and the impact of this on national peace, security and sovereignty. The study shows that the frequency of insurgent attacks has resulted in collateral damage on the peace, stability, development and sovereignty of the state. It finds also that the federal government has not been decisive enough. This places urgent and decisive demands on the government to adopt new management strategies that will address and contain the insurgent and terrorist groups. It is recommended that the government at all levels should awake to its responsibilities, ensure adequate funding and training of the security agencies, as well as the fortification of the armed forces with sophisticated weapons that will effectively outmatch the firepower of the terrorists. Government must also ensure the tightening of the borders to check the influx of people into its territory.