By Ayo Kehinde
In its December 2023 security Intelligence report dated January 16,2024 and made available to THISAGE, a foremost security consulting firm, Beacon Consulting, has highlighted a surge in violent criminality mainly by Non-State Armed Groups (NSAGs)
It said the insecurity are triggered by socio-political developments.
Nonetheless, according to security outfit, the security incident dataset in December 2023 revealed an overall decrease in security incidents at 649, representing a 10.36% decrease compared to November 2023.
In the same vein, the rate of fatalities experienced a 32.98% decrease, as 882 cases were recorded compared with November 2023.
The case for abduction is stark for the country.
The report said, “our report shows a surge in abduction cases resulting in an 11.85 per cent increase in abduction compared with the November report. A total of 519 persons were abducted across 229 local government areas in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”
In terms of ranking, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja come third in the states with the highest number of abductees with 67 civilians and 1 government official abducted in December 2023. Sokoto and Borno states ranked second and first with 75 and 122 abductees, respectively.
However, in the FCT, criminals and bandits constitute the primary actors of the abduction incidents, according to the report.
“On a general analysis of the security development in 2023 (January 1, – December 31), Nigeria recorded 6525 security incidents including security operatives actions as opposed to 5375 in 2022 representing a 21.40% increase.
On the other metrics, “Beacon Consulting recorded 9734 fatalities in 2023 and 11714 fatalities in 2022 representing a 16.9% decrease. Abductions in 2023 decreased by 35.51% as 4067 persons were abducted while in 2022, 6306 persons were abducted.”
WAY FORWARD
Dr. Kabir Adamu, Managing Director of the organisation advocated for the relevance of using data to track security developments as a tool for security management and investing in improving the intelligence cycle.
He also called for “an improvement of the criminal justice system including a reinvigoration of the traditional justice system and restorative justice.
He challenged the security agencies to ensure compliance with the existing national security framework and to enhance cooperation, collaboration and coordination if they are to meet the imperatives of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration as contained in the presidential priorities.
Dr. Adamu called on the National Assembly to adopt a performance measurement mechanism similar to what the Presidency launched with the cabinet when he signed a performance bond with them and the permanent secretaries in November 2023.
