By ITA UMIOM

Youth violence refers to violence that occurs among individuals aged 10–30 years who are related or unrelated. It involves a range of acts from bullying, both offline and online, to physical fighting, assault, gang-related violence, or homicide. Youth violence results in deaths, injuries, mutilation, disability, and long-term health consequences. It is associated with higher rates of school dropouts, cultism, and rival group(s).

Security is defined as being free from danger or threat or a system designed to provide maximum protection against toxic spills, (Oxford Dictionary).

INSECURITY AND POLITICAL GAMES

Nigeria is presently bedeviled by an abundance of security challenges that bite at the very fabric of the nation’s existence. It is affecting the political and economic stability in Nigeria.  The prevalence of insecurity in the country is multi-pronged and cuts across all states of the Federation. Insecurity in Nigeria comprises insurgency, cultism, killer herdsmen, extrajudicial killings, ethno-religious conflict, armed robbery, militancy, banditry, cyber crime and attacks by unknown gunmen, marginalisation, crises and contested spaces, etc. It is pathetic to say here that the attacks by these misfits have claimed lives of several people, including political elite, prominent Nigerians, children, mothers, fathers, students, among others. 

Recently, two  rival cultist groups clashed in Oron Nation, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, which left many people killed, others injured. The unfortunate situation has continued to threaten the peaceful existence of Oron people. The most disappointing part of it is that government is developing a nonchalant attitude towards the killings of innocent people by kidnappers, herdsmen, Boko Haram and cultism in Nigeria. In some parts of Nigeria, people have become helpless and vulnerable and have submitted voluntarily to the bandit authorities for the protection of their life, family and property.  

On October 18, 2024. Two cult groups clashed, leaving many people dead, with many of them beheaded; it was indeed a horrible sight. All the streets were deserted, and businesses crumbled. In my opinion, people join such groups for political relevancy and election rigging.

After the politicians got into power they abandoned the youths into abject poverty, hardship, hunger, and frustration; these youths then began to terrorise and kidnap innocent Nigerians who are now their victims.

This situation resulted in the “EndBadGovernance” peaceful protest of August 1 – 10, 2024. The protest was about economic hardship, hunger, frustration, kidnapping, killing and hopelessness. But the government instead of attending to their plight detailed security agencies to chase them away from the streets. In the process, some of them were wounded, arrested, detained, and charged with treason and treasonable felony. 

Shockingly on Friday November 1, 2024, 76 EndBadGoverance prostesters,  32 of which were children under the age of 16 were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of treason and treasonable felony punishable by death. Interestingly, these children were moved from Kano to Abuja. One of the malnourished children slumped in court which prompted the Judge to abruptly adjourn the matter. In other words, the government aggravated their pains and hardship instead of reducing it, thereby exhibiting an attitude of insensitivity.

Investigation has revealed that youth violence, kidnapping, herdsmen attacks, Boko Haram insurgency, and even unknown gunmen in Nigeria, are caused by neglect, unemployment, abandonment, frustration, and hopelessness of unsure future prospects in life. In most cases, they vent their aggression on poor, fragile, vulnerable, and helpless Nigerians.

The truth remains that government has failed Nigerians; their economic policies do not benefit the citizens. The government is rather interested in acquiring yacht, jets, luxury cars, and things that do not make economic sense to the citizens. Job creation should be their priority for the hungry and angry youths. The slogan “build the youth, build the nation” is unrealistic in this current administration.

It is no longer news that bandits have been tormenting Nigerians for many years now. The paradox of this phenomenon is that when they are arrested, they will be released without charge or not arrested and nicknamed ‘unknown gunmen’.

The Unknown Gunmen / Boko Haram terrorists have plunged Nigerians into extreme poverty, widespread unemployment, leading to mass migration. Indeed, terrorism, kidnapping and human trafficking, continue to worsen even as security, legitimacy, state capacity, private investment, the entire economy are constantly threatened.

CONCLUSION

Government should understand that good governance at all levels is fundamental to economic growth, political stability, and security. Good governance translates to improved economic benefits and accelerates economic transition. 

It is necessary to say, that the government has failed woefully in its constitutional responsibilities of providing security, education, employment, and other social amenities to relieve this unnecessary hardship on its citizens. Nigerians deserve better. There is a compelling need for the government to address the protracted and recurring multidimensional insecurity in Nigeria.

*Effiong Umiom, a  legal practitioner and human rights activist, wrote from Lagos