AN EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE STRATEGY ON THE WAR AGAINST INSURGENCY IN NIGERIA. A STUDY OF IGABI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN KADUNA STATE. 2016– 2023

Abstract

The growing challenges in Nigeria’s National Security hasbecome a major threat to the overall well-being of everyone living in Nigeria, neighbouring countries and her sovereignty in general. This challenge is closely tied to the lapses inherent in national defence policies and inadequate implementation. The expanded and worrisome attacks by armed insurgent groups within Nigeria cannot be unconnected to uncoordinated national intelligence sharing by authorised agencies, lack of sophistication in security infrastructure, shortage in manpower, advanced information and technological backwardness. This research examines the impact of Nigeria’s national defence policy on anti-insurgency war in Kaduna State and Igabi Local Government Area (LGA) in particular between 2016 and 2023. The research adopted the quantitative analysis and secondary data capture. The research identified that some of the main reasons for the escalated activities of the armed insurgency group is tied to prolonged economic backwardness of most Nigerians, political instability, ethno religious conflict, impunity, and unemployment. The Clausewitz theory of applied strategy has been adopted for this research. In its findings, the Nigeria national defence policy is a much needed strategy that will further pull the victory in the war on insurgency much closer if adequately implemented. The study recommends the need for professionalization and mobilization of all national security apparatuses as key to her sovereignty.

Keywords

• Insurgency
• Defence
• Strategy
• War
• International community
• Sovereignty