Developing Nigeria’s Border Paradigm: The Panacea for National Security, Socio-Economic and Political Development

Abstract

The complex terrain of Nigeria’s borders and neglects of border settlements in terms of the provisions and availability of basic amenities; encouraged the frontier dwellers to cross the international boundary seeking for some of the basic necessities of life. This made them vulnerable of being attacked by aliens and terrorists; easily recruited and co-opted by criminals from either of the borders; compelled to engage or aid trans-border crimes as well as providing hiding place for some unscrupulous elements in the society or face the wrath of the syndicates and traffickers. This Library research established that, neglecting the border regions and the porosity of our international boundary has fuelled the current security challenges confronting the nation. The paper recommends the total checkmating of activities at the border region; provision of basic/necessary materials for the dwellers of border towns and the boosting of international collaboration by countries sharing the common border against illicit traffickers as the panacea for national security, socio-economic and political development.

Keywords: Panacea, Boundary Development, Trans-border, Frontier