Insecurity and Secessionist Threats in Nigeria

Nigeria, like Cameroon, is among the African states that are battling with secessionism. There is scarcely a deep sense of unity and nationhood among Nigerians in different areas of national life. This study therefore examines the nexus between insecurity and secessionism in Nigeria. The paper argues that the demand for self-determination and the call for restructuring are inevitable in a country like Nigeria due to the character of the state, where good governance is a far cry for the masses. The study used the theory of deprivation to explain the growth in secessionist agitation. The qualitative method of focus group discussion and telephonic interviews were used to develop the content of the study. However, this paper found that the series of secessionist threats in Nigeria had reinforced insecurity in the affected areas, thereby leading to restrictions in the movement of people and threats to lives and properties. Thus, a more practical policy needs to be put in place and implemented in line with the developmental needs of the masses across the flashpoints of secessionist agitations in order to amicably address the issue of secession among the various ethnic groups in the country.