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2016 REVIEW – SECURITY
2016 saw security conditions deteriorate
to unprecedented levels with the Nigerian
military conducting internal security
operations in 35 of 36 states over the course
of the year (only Kebbi did not record one
form of military deployment or the other).
Northern Nigeria, which comprises the old
Northern Region, begins from the boundary
between Oyo and Kwara states in the West;
Enugu and Benue states in the East, and Edo
and Kogi states in the centre and makes up
about 79% of Nigeria’s land area. This region
has seen various forms of instability in the
past decade and its continuing volatility has
had a significant effect on migration, food,
and the general perception of Nigeria as a
fragile state.
The economic issues facing North Central
and North Eastern Nigeria have largely
been precipitated by security challenges.
Other factors extending beyond these two
geopolitical zones include adverse climatic
and environmental conditions as well as the
region’s human development challenges.
with little choice than to stay there, as many
of the towns and villages in the countryside
remain under threat of Boko Haram attacks.
However, many towns in the region are coming
back to life with the populations gradually
returning, such as Gujba in Yobe State, Bama
in Borno State and Mubi in Adamawa State,
with commercial activities slowly returning to
pre-insurgency levels.
While the insurgency in the North-East was
being tackled, the clashes between Fulani
herdsmen militia and local communities
in the Middle Belt were still ignored, with
disastrous consequences. Whether it was
in Agatu in Benue State or in various parts
of Southern Kaduna, it followed a similar
pattern: clashes of land and water are
followed by either the Fulani herdsmen or
the local communities attacking the other,
and reprisals are on the rise. This is having
a noticeable effect on farming output, and
a region which is traditionally Nigeria’s food
basket, is beginning to struggle to feed itself.
As was witnessed last year, large numbers
of the rural population in Borno State
sought refuge in various camps for internally
displaced persons within the capital,
Maiduguri, causing its population to swell.
Amidst complaints and protests of poor
welfare, the IDPs have nonetheless been left
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