The Federal Government has listed terrorism, religious extremism, kidnapping and banditry among the biggest security threats facing the country.
Others include farmers/herders’ conflict, militancy and separatist agitation, armed robbery, sea piracy, porous borders, cybercrimes and socio-political threats.
These were contained in the details of the 2019 National Security Strategy document, which President Muhammadu Buhari launched in Abuja on Wednesday.
Buhari, in a foreword he wrote to the document, noted that these security threats were complex and required modern methodologies to confront them head on.
He stated that this realisation called for the urgency to review the 2014 NSS to meet present-day realities.
For instance, the document noted that while Boko Haram had been decimated, there was still the need to find ways to break the collaboration between the group and the Islamic State in West Africa Province.
“The threat by BHT and ISWAP will require a comprehensive approach in collaboration with our contiguous neighbours and international partners”, the document said as new NSS.
For armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping and farmer/herder crisis, the government spoke of a comprehensive modern approach to addressing them.
“The significant threat posed by pastoralists-farmers conflict makes it a critical issue that needs to be addressed quickly and comprehensively,” it said.
It also stated that tackling porous borders was important, as the borders had a direct link to transnational crimes and the movement of small arms and light weapons easily accessed by armed groups.
“Tackling illicit cross border activities and strengthening border security are critical to addressing the threats of terrorism and transnational organised crime,” the government said.
On cybercrimes, it said, “Through cyber security, government will develop a national strategic framework dedicated to cyber defence that recognises various threat levels.
“Furthermore, we will develop a national framework for cybersecurity manpower development anchored on public-private partnership towards building local capacity…”
It also promised to enhance social security, which is said could be the solution to the larger societal security challenges.
The document explained, “Nigeria’s social security strategy will ensure policies and programmes to harness the strengths of our people to leverage on our resources for collective development and attain their full potential.
“This includes a national framework to prevent and deter identified or perceived threats to our way of life, ability to promote holistic societal improvements, safeguard our culture, traditions and customs.”
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