Rising inflation and its attendant effects on the cost of living has worsened security challenges in Nigeria, with a staggering increase in incidents, fatalities, and abductions in the last one month.
The Nigeria Security Report for October 2023 published by Beacon Consulting, reveals a 70.6% surge in violent incidents in October compared to September, a 93.97% rise in fatalities, and a 50.6% increase in abductions.
A breakdown shows that Nigeria recorded 935 incidents that resulted in 518 abductions and1127 fatalities. These incidents affected 266 Local Government Areas in 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The northern regions of the country were the most affected.
The Nigeria Security Report highlights rhat the relentless rise in prices has not only burdened citizens but has also contributed to the escalating insecurity in various regions of the country.
It observed that the main causes of these violent attacks were criminal activities by Non-State Armed Groups, social upheaval and protests due to economic hardship, tough living conditions, and socio-economic circumstances in the country.
Read also Explainer: Why inflation is cooling “everywhere” else but Nigeria
The report also raises concerns that criminal activities such as kidnap for ransom, violent and petty crimes, and home invasions are likely to continue in the short and medium terms due to the deteriorating economic circumstances of the country and rising inflation.
This is compounded by the traditional spike in crime during the last four months of the year, locally referred to as ‘ember’ months, which may be worsened by the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war on commodities and the supply chain disruption it has caused.
In September 2023, Nigeria’s inflation rate reached 26.72%, primarily due to the removal of petrol subsidies and the devaluation of the official exchange rate. Month-on-month inflation rose to 2.18%, with food and non-alcoholic beverages being the hardest hit. The annual food inflation rate averaged 30.64%, significantly higher than the corresponding period in 2022.
As a result of these price increases, basic commodities like food and fuel have become more expensive, leaving many struggling to make ends meet. This economic strain has created fertile ground for social unrest, which is intertwined with the nation’s already complex security challenges.
Read also Explainer: Why inflation is cooling “everywhere” else but Nigeria
The report shows a disturbing trend when comparing October 2022 to October 2023. There was a 93.2% increase in incidents, a 61.23% rise in fatalities, and a 45.5% surge in abductions. These statistics underscore the growing security challenges facing the nation.
Further breakdown of the incidents causing fatalities in October shows that 38.5% of the fatalities occurred in the North East geopolitical region (433 fatalities), 32.6% in the North West geopolitical region (367 fatalities), 10.04% in North Central (113 fatalities), South-South 10.2% (115 fatalities), South West 5.2% (59 fatalities) and South East 3.4% (38 fatalities). 81.1% of the fatalities affected the northern half of Nigeria.
Similarly, 48.8% of the abductions occurred in the North East geopolitical region (253 abductions), 42.1% occurred in the North West geopolitical region (218 abductions), 7.9% in North Central (41 abductions), South-South 0.7% (4 abductions), South West and South East recorded one case of abduction each (0.2%). 98.8% of the abductions affected the northern half of Nigeria.
To address these challenges, the report recommends that the Federal and State Governments enhance collaboration for enhanced administration of criminal justice and the restoration of social order by addressing the root causes of these challenges. These include weak state institutions, drug addiction, socio-economic grievances, poverty, unemployment, and the effects of climate change, as well as the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Other measures include the need for the Federal and State Governments to collaborate in dominating the forested and other ungoverned spaces, which the gunmen (bandits and terrorists as well as other armed non-state actors) use as safe havens and to keep their victims.
The report also highlights the need for governments at the Federal and State levels to halt the ability of the gunmen to move between locations (they currently mainly use motorbikes) and to block their supply chains for weapons and essentials, including petroleum for their motorbikes and access to drugs.
Rising inflation and its attendant effects on the cost of living have worsened security challenges in Nigeria, with a staggering increase in incidents, fatalities, and abductions in the last month.
The Nigeria Security Report for October 2023, published by Beacon Consulting reveals a 70.6% surge in violent incidents in October compared to September, a 93.97% rise in fatalities, and a 50.6% increase in abductions.
Read also Insecurity: Senate invites NSA, Service chiefs, IGP, others for closed-door meeting
A breakdown shows that Nigeria recorded 935 incidents that resulted in 518 abductions and1127 fatalities. These incidents affected 266 Local Government Areas in 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The northern regions of the country were the most affected.
The Nigeria Security Report highlights rhat the relentless rise in prices has not only burdened citizens but has also contributed to the escalating insecurity in various regions of the country.
It observed that the main causes of these violent attacks were criminal activities by Non-State Armed Groups, social upheaval and protests due to economic hardship, tough living conditions, and socio-economic circumstances in the country.
The report also raises concerns that criminal activities such as kidnap for ransom, violent and petty crimes, and home invasions are likely to continue in the short and medium terms due to the deteriorating economic circumstances of the country and rising inflation.
This is compounded by the traditional spike in crime during the last four months of the year, locally referred to as ‘ember’ months, which may be worsened by the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war on commodities and the supply chain disruption it has caused.
In September 2023, Nigeria’s inflation rate reached 26.72%, primarily due to the removal of petrol subsidies and the devaluation of the official exchange rate. Month-on-month inflation rose to 2.18%, with food and non-alcoholic beverages being the hardest hit. The annual rate of food inflation averaged 30.64%, significantly higher than the corresponding period in 2022.
As a result of these price increases, basic commodities like food and fuel have become more expensive, leaving many struggling to make ends meet. This economic strain has created fertile ground for social unrest, which is intertwined with the nation’s already complex security challenges.
The report shows a disturbing trend when comparing October 2022 to October 2023. There was a 93.2% increase in incidents, a 61.23% rise in fatalities, and a 45.5% surge in abductions. These statistics underscore the growing security challenges facing the nation.
Further breakdown of the incidents causing fatalities in October shows that 38.5% of the fatalities occurred in the North East geopolitical region (433 fatalities), 32.6% in the North West geopolitical region (367 fatalities), 10.04% in North Central (113 fatalities), South-South 10.2% (115 fatalities), South West 5.2% (59 fatalities) and South East 3.4% (38 fatalities). 81.1% of the fatalities affected the northern half of Nigeria.
Similarly, 48.8% of the abductions occurred in the North East geopolitical region (253 abductions), 42.1% occurred in the North West geopolitical region (218 abductions), 7.9% in North Central (41 abductions), South-South 0.7% (4 abductions), South West and South East recorded one case of abduction each (0.2%). 98.8% of the abductions affected the northern half of Nigeria.
To address these challenges, the report recommends that the Federal and State Governments enhance collaboration for enhanced administration of criminal justice and the restoration of social order by addressing the root causes of these challenges. These include weak state institutions, drug addiction, socio-economic grievances, poverty, unemployment, and the effects of climate change, as well as the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Other measures include the need for the Federal and State Governments to collaborate in dominating the forested and other ungoverned spaces, which the gunmen (bandits and terrorists as well as other armed non-state actors) use as safe havens and to keep their victims.
The report also highlights the need for governments at the Federal and State levels to halt the ability of the gunmen to move between locations (they currently mainly use motorbikes) and to block their supply chains for weapons and essentials, including petroleum for their motorbikes and access to drugs.
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