PREVALENCE OF ARMED ATTACKS AND THE SECURITY IMPLICATIONS IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA
Author: Onwuchekwe, Stanley Ikenna, Okoronta, Chibuike Christian & Ibekwe, Christopher Chimaobi, Onwuchekwe PiusTobechukwu
Abstract:
The internal security environment of Nigeria appears to have deteriorated in the recent past.
While efforts were being made to curb the old security threats; new twists like the unknown gunmen and bandits attack emerged. This paper examined the prevalence of armed attacks and the security implications in Anambra State, Nigeria. The theoretical thrust of this paper was the theory of deviance. The paper adopted a survey research design and the sample size was 400 adult residents of the State. The multi-stage sampling technique was used to select respondents. The major instrument of data collection was a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency count, percentage, Mean score, table of descriptive statistics, and chi-square (x2) inferential statistics through the aid of SPSS. The findings revealed that sources of arms were perceived to be from desperate politicians, local blacksmiths, smuggling from neighboring countries, corrupt law enforcement agents, Niger Delta militants, and prison/security cell breaks. The security implications of the attacks were found to comprise fear to participate in the electioneering process, demoralized presence of security personnel, wanton killings and loss of lives, destruction of operational facilities of law enforcement agents, exposure to an atmosphere of threats, frightening sense of insecurity among residents, wrong signal to residents/investors, increased risk of sexual violence, unhindered accessibility of arms by untrained individuals and looting/burglary. This paper concluded that if adequate measures are not taken to address the precipitating issues, the State and region by extension might not just be turned into a terror zone, but could be deserted. It, therefore, recommended among others, that efforts should be made by the government to call for arms disarmament in the South-East region and grant amnesty to anyone willing to drop his arm.