Insecurity and Economic Development in South-East Nigeria Since 2020

Abstract

This paper examined the effect of insecurity on development in South-East Nigeria. It explained the concept of security, insecurity and economic development with focus on South East Nigeria. An overview of insecurity in the area in recent times was x-rayed and it revealed that the region was once voted as the safest in Nigeria. To understand the security situation, the various forms of insecurity was examined to include IPOB agitation, activities of Eastern Security Networks, attacks and assassinations by Unknown Gunmen, reprisal attacks and abductions by government security agents, kidnappings and killer herdsmen’s attacks. The study underscored that insecurity impacted negatively on the economy of the region in several ways. It further recorded that security plays a major role in the existence and sustenance of citizens, but when a society is saddled with the problem of insecurity many other sectors are negatively affected. It concluded on the need of the government to undertake a holistic approach in resolving the security challenges. Recommendations were also proffered to the five governors of the south east geopolitical zone.