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When we consider the problem of institutional impunity, what immediately leaps to mind after long-term observation of countries in armed conflict in the field is the paradox between the massive military and security resources invested, the presence of judicial institutions with a whole array of instruments, laws, standards, and conventions, and the apparent inadequacy of the outcomes in terms of protection of civilians’ security and human rights.

Like in many developing countries that are highly fractionalized, ethnic crisis ranks amongst many security challenges bedevilling Nigeria, making Nigeria loosely a country at war with itself. This situation magnifies Nigeria’s political instability and the efforts of security agencies to address the range of insecurity issues which beyond fractionalization crisis encircle terrorism, banditry, ritual killings, armed robbery and kidnapping.

Government has unwittingly allowed the responsibility for security to transfer vicariously to the citizens and state while rebuffing devolution of statutory security responsibilities by not acceding to the formation of state police. There is thus a perceived need for decentralization of Nigeria Police in tandem with dictates of federalism. Yet, efforts to restructure the Nigeria Police is still fraught with definitional, conceptual and systemic challenges.

Nigeria is witnessing the escalation of violence and conflicts across the board. While the incidents have led to thousands of losses to lives and then the destruction of livelihood, it has seemingly overwhelmed Nigeria's security operatives. The Southeast region, which used to be one of Nigeria's relatively peaceful zones, has witnessed rising violence. The past couple of months have been dreadful, given the region's rise of violence and security uncertainties. About 254 people were killed in 63 incidents recorded in the first five months of 2021.

Nigeria, as a democratising state, is caught in the web of balancing civil control over its military, which has over the years dominated its political space. With the growing insecurity and conflicts in the country such as insurgency, cultism, kidnapping, vandalism, terrorism and armed banditry, the presence of the military in the civilian spaces and activities continue to grow. While the military is invited to help in providing security and safeguard the public spaces, their relationship with the citizens in many cases have turned sour, as in some cases, the fundamental rights or the constitutional rights of the citizens are either breached or violated.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a significant obstacle to women’s enjoyment of their rights and a violation of their fundamental freedoms. In several countries, particularly in West Africa, such violence is rooted in a social system founded on patriarchy.

Kidnapping for ransom ranks very high among the numerous peace and security challenges confronting Nigeria. Kidnapping happens for political reasons (grievance); for ransom (greed); hybrid kidnapping (for generating money to support insurgency); and situational kidnapping (for settling custodial and family issures, indentured servitude and ethno-religious indoctrination).

Nigeria is experiencing a situational crisis in the governing and securing of its conflict-affected rural areas. Ungoverned space is a direct reflection of the inability of the state to effectively perform its minimal statutory functions: exercise of monopoly of use of force; full territorial control; and provision of basic social services.

This study on Nigeria is part of the regional baseline study that was conducted by the African Security Sector Network (ASSN) team for the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Peace and Security Competence Centre (FES PSCC) as part of the project “Security for All” co-financed by the European Union.

This baseline study was conducted by the African Security Sector Network (ASSN) team for the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Peace and Security Competence Centre (FES PSCC) as part of the project "Security for All", which is co-financed by the European Union.