Insecurity Determinants’ Influence on Development and Mitigation Techniques: Evidence from Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria is currently going through the ever increasing insecurity threatening coexistent of Nigerians. Data in respect of insecurity determinants and their influence on development as well as mitigation techniques were collected from respondents living in Plateau State Nigeria. Various statistical tools were used to analyse the data collected. The results revealed that leadership style, lack of trust, religion, unemployment, education and lack of respect for the rule of law all together significantly explained 99.8% of the level of insecurity in Plateau State. However, two of these variables namely leadership style and religion were found to have no significant effect on level of development while the remaining four: lack of trust, unemployment, education and lack of respect for the rule of law has adverse effect on development. Also, the introduction of community/state police, Peace Corps and Vigilante as part of measures to check insecurity were found not to be significant while good governance, border control and employment generation lead to significant reduction in level of insecurity. The study recommended that there is need for all leaders at different levels of government to show good leadership in terms of respect for the rule of law, employment generation and commitment to education in order to reduce the level of insecurity. By so doing, it will gradually put an end to insecurity of lives and properties which in turn lead to rapid development.