Content Type: Policy Brief / Publishing Institution: Africa Center for Strategic Studies / Political Geography: Nigeria

Author:: Oluwakemi Okenyodo
Publication Date:: 06-2016
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Abstract:: As in much of Africa, the vast majority of security threats facing Nigeria are internal, often involving irregular forces such as insurgents, criminal gangs, and violent religious extremists. Effectively combating such threats requires cooperation from local communities—cooperation limited by low levels of trust in security forces who often have reputations for corruption, heavy-handedness, and politicization. Tackling modern security threats, then, is directly tied with improving the governance and oversight of the security sector, especially the police. Key paths forward include clarifying the structure of command and oversight, strengthening merit-based hiring and promotion processes, and better regulating private and voluntary security providers.
Topic:: International Relations, Corruption, International Affairs, and Governance
Political Geography:: Nigeria

Author:: Michael Olufemi Sodipo
Publication Date:: 08-2013
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Abstract:: Northern Nigeria has been the locus of an upsurge in youth radicalization and virulent militant Islamist groups in Nigeria since 2009. Nigeria's ranking on the Global Terrorism Index rose from 16 th out of 158 countries in 2008 to 6 th (tied with Somalia) by the end of 2011. There were 168 officially recorded terrorist attacks in 2011 alone. Bombings across the northeast prompted President Goodluck Jonathan in May 2013 to declare a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States. Many Nigerians have come to question whether the country is on the brink of a civil war.
Topic:: Security, Political Violence, Economics, Islam, and Peacekeeping
Political Geography:: Africa, Nigeria, Somalia, Yobe State, Borno State, and Adamawa State

Author:: Michael Olufemi Sodipo
Publication Date:: 08-2013
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Abstract:: Ongoing attacks by Boko Haram and other violent Islamist groups coupled with an at times arbitrary response by Nigeria’s security forces have contributed to a deteriorating security situation in the north. Increasingly frequent attacks and bombings also mask longer-running radicalization dynamics. A sustained approach targeting every stage of the radicalization spectrum, from addressing socioeconomic grievances, to cross-cultural peacebuilding initiatives, to rehabilitating radicalized members of violent Islamist groups, as well as a more measured use of force are needed to reverse this broader trend.
Topic:: Radicalization and Political and institutional effectiveness
Political Geography:: Nigeria

Author:: J. Peter Pham
Publication Date:: 04-2012
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Abstract:: The Nigerian militant Islamist group Boko Haram has grown increasingly virulent since late 2010, reflecting a major transformation in its capacity, tactics, and ideology. There are indications of expanding links between Boko Haram and international Islamist terrorist organizations. Support for Boko Haram among some of northern Nigeria's marginalized Muslim communities suggests that security actions alone will be insufficient to quell the instability.
Topic:: Political Violence, Islam, Terrorism, Armed Struggle, and Insurgency
Political Geography:: Africa and Nigeria

Author:: Chris Kwaja
Publication Date:: 07-2011
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Abstract:: Communal clashes across ethnic and religious faultlines in and around the city of Jos in central Nigeria have claimed thousands of lives, displaced hundreds of thousands of others, and fostered a climate of instability throughout the surrounding region.
Topic:: Conflict Resolution, Ethnic Conflict, and Religion
Political Geography:: Africa and Nigeria

Author:: Augustus Vogel
Publication Date:: 02-2011
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Abstract:: The African maritime security challenge is defined by the need to monitor wide geographic expanses with limited resources. Science and technology are invaluable maritime security force multipliers. Investment in “technology” without support for “science” is unsustainable. Complementary investments in African research institutions are needed to create collaborative “anchors” to sustain the effectiveness of maritime security efforts.
Topic:: Security, Crime, Science and Technology, Maritime Commerce, and Piracy
Political Geography:: Africa, Europe, Caribbean, and Nigeria

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