RELIGIOUS FANATICISM AND SECURITY CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA: ISSUES, TRENDS AND IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Nigeria has witnessed different kinds of security challenges at different periods in her existence as a nation. However, the nature and trends of insecurity in the country have been worrisome in recent times. This paper examines the link between religious fanaticism and security challenges in Nigeria. Currently, the country grapples with a lot of security challenges such as assassination, ritual killings, armed robbery, kidnapping, ethno-religious violence, banditry and insurgency. The central thesis of the paper is that religious fanaticism coupled with other factors has increased the level of insecurity in the country. This has given rise to loss of lives and property, proliferation of arms, fear and instability in the country and proliferation of security guards. The paper recommends proper religious education and de-radicalization of religious fanatics; as well as the electronic surveillance of the nation’s borders to check smuggling of illegal weapons into the country among others. It is believed that such measures will help in stemming the ugly tide of insecurity in the country.