THE SEARCH FOR SECURITY, THE EVOLUTION OF THE BAKASSI BOYS AND THE ANAMBRA STATE EXPERIENCE; 1998-2004: LESSON FOR TODAY’S SECURITY AGENTS

  • Festus C. Ajeli
Keywords: Anambra state, Security agents, Vigilante, Insecurity, Bakassi boys

Abstract

The development of any nation depends principally on its security. Security depends on the machinery put in place by the government of that nation and the effectiveness of the security is determined by the extent of motivation given to the security agents and their dedication to duty that enable them discharge their duties effectively. In recent time, insecurity has taken the place of security in Nigeria and the consequences are overwhelming. Between 1998 and 2004, insecurity in Anambra state was at the climax. What have government done and is doing to ensure that security of life and property of its citizens are guaranteed. In 2000, the Anambra state Government enacted a law transforming the dreaded Onitsha Vigilante Services (OVS) into the Anambra state Vigilante Service (AVS) to end the high level of insecurity, thus giving birth to the popular ‘‘Bakassi Boys’’ Vigilante Service in Anambra State. Methodologically, the paper adopts the historical analysis approach to analyse the state of insecurity in the state in the period under study. Data was collected via primary and secondary sources. The paper concludes that even though the method of punishment adopted by the Bakassi boys (AVS) was non-conventional, it achieved the purpose for which it was established, while the conventional security outfits turned to be problems themselves to be solved. It therefore called on government at all levels to motivate and equip their security agencies to work more effectively like the defunct Anambra Vigilante Services in order to end the spate of insecurity in Nigeria.

Published
2021-11-25