Terrain Consideration as a Critical Factor in Resolving Insecurity Issues in the Northwest and Parts of Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper reviewed available related literature and consulted maps of the affected areas. Thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands have been displaced in the northwestern region of Nigeria due to violence between herders and farmers, armed roving bandits and in some cases by insurgent terrorists like Boko Haram and Iswap. Causes of this violence can be attributed to many inter related and complex reasons. There is the competition for resources, inter-tribal issues of domination, population increase due to natural increase in birth rates and climate induced migration into the region. Security agencies have failed to solve the issue of insecurity in the region because of insufficient knowledge of the terrain. The terrain is forested, has many rivers, and is rugged and dissected. Some of the suggestions are that sophisticated surveillance equipment such as drones and satellites be used, that dialogue between aggrieved farmers and herdsmen should be encouraged.