IMPLICATION OF FEAR OF UNKNOWN ON NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of Study

Fear is a feeling induced by perceived danger or threat that occurs in certain types of organisms, which causes a change in metabolic and organ functions and ultimately a change in behavior, such as fleeing, hiding, or freezing from perceived traumatic events. Fear of the unknown in human beings may occur in response to a certain stimulus occurring in the present, or in anticipation or expectation of a future threat perceived as a risk to body or life.

Several researchers have identified the relationship between fear and national development since the end of the cold war (Nwanegbo and Odigbo, 2013:2:45; Chandler, 2007:1:361).

They posited that development can never be achieved in any nation characterized with conflicts and war. Insecurity and national development are like Siamese twins because they are inseparable concepts that affect each other.Insecurity is a major drawback to Nigeria's national development. Several researches before today have tried to juxtapose different reasons for the slow pace of Nigeria's national development, but little attention have been paid to the importance of security to national development.

National development is the ability of a country or countries to improve the social welfare of the people such as providing social amenities like quality education, portable water, infrastructural facilities, medical care and so on (Abimbola &Adesote,2012:2:83). Ewetan (2013:1:38) conceptualized national development in terms of progress in three major dimensions in life of a nation. These three dimensions are economic, political and social or moral. The state of insecurity in Nigeria today has served as a backdrop to Nigeria's national development. Nigeria of today is faced with developmental obstacles like high level of unemployment, rural and urban poverty, and low physical and social infrastructure andmassive domestic and foreign debts (Ewetan, 2013:2:41).

The level of fear and insecurity in Nigeria of today is alarming and worrisome due to the persistent level of terrorism, kidnapping and armed robbery. Violent crime has an origin and history in Nigeria, and could be traced from 1960 till 1970 in Nigeria. According to Ewetan and Ese (2014:3:45), insecurity challenges can be traced to the large importation of arms into Nigeria during the civil war period. It was discovered after the civil war that some of the arms used during the Nigerian civil war got into the hands of the civilian and ex military men for unlawful actions that serves as a threat to Nigeria's security.

The fear of the unknown in Nigeria has served as a backdrop to national development. The level of insecurity in Nigeria needs to be addressed because of its adverse effects on Nigeria's national development. This research study seeks to examine the significant issue of insecurity and its implication for Nigeria's National development.

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1.2 Statement of Problem

The failure of government to provide for a secure and safe environment for lives and properties and the running of business and other economic activities has created anger and hostility among the tribal groups (Ewetan & Ese, 2014:1; 46). This has led to ethnic violence, religious violence, and communal clashes in several parts of the nation and has resulted into the destruction of lives and properties, hampered business and economic activities, and has also stunted economic growth and development of Nigeria.According to Ogege Sam Omadjohwoefe (2013:1:82), Nigeria as a nation is faced with complex security obstacles which include ethnic crises, assassination, militancy, kidnapping and terrorism. There are several unlawful groups in Nigeria posing as a threat to Nigeria's national security like the militancy groups, terrorist groups and armed robbers etc. According to Ogbonnaya and Ehiagamusoen (2013:2:8), in 1998, the Niger Delta region was characterized with anarchy, were communities often engaged with slight provocation, in destructive inter and intra community conflict.

The conflict in the Niger Delta region appeared in several ways like kidnapping of oil expatriates, frequent disruption of oil production activities through the vandalization of oil and gas installations and facilities. There several important and famous militant groups operating in the area like, the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF) led by Alhaji Asari Dokubo, the Niger Delta Vigilante Force (NDVF) led by Ateke Tom, Movement Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) led by Henry Okah. These various militancy groups have carried out fatal and paralyzing attacks on oil and gas facilities with their various arms and ammunitions.

The Boko Haram crisis has posed a greater security challenge to Nigeria's growth and national development, most especially in the northern-eastern part of the country. The Boko Haram crisis emerged in Bauch State on July 26, 2009 and has caused severe havoc in many parts of Nigeria, especially in the North. According to Ogbonnaya and Ehigiamusoe (2013:1:9), several attacks have from the lawless Islamic sect have been targeted at the state, institutions and the civilian population. Several police stations have been attacked including the Nigerian Police force quarters located at Abuja, the United Nations, school, government establishments and places of worship have been attacked and places of worship have been attacked and destroyed in different parts of the federation.

Omadjohwoefe (2013:3:84-85), on December 25, 2011, St, Theresa's Catholic Church, Mandalla was bombed by the lawless Islamic sect, killing over 46 people. On January 21, 2012, multiple bomb blast rocked Kano city, claiming 185 lives. On March 8, 2012, an Italian expatriate named Franco Lamolinara and a British expatriate named Christopher McManus who were employees of Stabilim Visioni Construction Firm were abdicated in 2011 by a splinter group of Boko Haram and were later killed. In February 18, 2013, a suicide bomber attacked a bus station in Kano occupied majorly by Christians, killing 41 lives and injuring others.

The latest action by the lawless Islamic group that drew the attention of the whole world was the abduction of over 250 Government Secondary School girls, Chibok, in April 14, 2014 at Borno State. The girls are yet to be rescued till this day. This research study will make an attempt to study the reason why insecurity has stunted the growth and development of the Nigerian economy. These raises the questions:

1. Has insecurity negatively impacted on Nigeria's national development?
2. Has the government played a significant role in curbing insecurity in Nigeria?
3. Would the curbing of insecurity in Nigeria increase the rate of national development?
4. What are the measures to adopt to eradicate insecurity in Nigeria?

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1.3 Objectives of Study

The objective of the research study is to investigate on fear of the unknown and insecurity in Nigeria and its effect on Nigeria's national development. It tends to study how fear of the unknown has served as a backdrop to Nigeria's national development under the administration of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (2011-2015). The research study aims to gather and analyze data that will lead to achieving the main goal of the research study. Thus the overall objective of the research study are:

1. To determine the impact of insecurity on national development.
2. To determine the roles played by government in curbing insecurity in Nigeria.
3. To examine the effects of curbing insecurity on Nigeria's national development.
4. To determine the measures to adopt in eradicating the problem of insecurity in Nigeria.

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1.4 Research Questions

This research study will make an attempt to study the reason why insecurity has stunted the growth and development of the Nigerian economy. These raises the questions:

1. Has insecurity negatively impacted on Nigeria's national development?
2. Has the government played a significant role in curbing insecurity in Nigeria?
3. Would the curbing of insecurity in Nigeria increase the rate of national development?
4. What are the measures to adopt to eradicate insecurity in Nigeria?

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1.5 Hypothesis of the study

• HO1: There is no impact of insecurity on national development.
• HO2: Government does not play any significant role in curbing insecurity in Nigeria.
• HO3: There is no effect of curbing insecurity on Nigeria's national development.

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1.6 Research Methodology

The research study adopts qualitative research method. Thus, the study will rely on the use of secondary data collection in gathering relevant information. Explicitly, the research gathers its data from text books, journals, internet, newspapers, magazines and official publications. The research study will adopt descriptive analysis in the interpretation of data.

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1.5 Significance of Study

This research study will theoretically contribute significantly to the contemporary body of academic knowledge. The research study will be significant practically to the military, other security agencies, policy makers and also educate and widen the horizon of the citizens on security matters and its effect on their lives and properties. The research study would also provide various ways by which insecurity can be reduced in Nigeria under this democratic dispensation.

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1.6 Scope of Study

The research study will study the activities of security agencies in fighting insecurity in Nigeria. The research study also examines the impacts of insecurity on Nigeria's national development from 2007 till date.

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1.7 Limitation of Study

All research studies have limitations.The first shortcoming of this research study centered on time constraint for the investigation and gathering of data for this research study. The research study cannot cover all areas but significant parts which will be useful for the successful objective of this research study. A second limitation is the funding aspect.The funding aspect of this research study is a challenge which has been properly utilized to meet the goal of the research study. The time frame and fund has not hampered the successful outcome of the research study.

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1.8 Organization of Study

The research study comprises of five chapters.

Chapter one consists of the background of study, statement of problem, research questions, objectives of study, research methodology, significance of study, scope of study,limitation of study and organization of study.

Chapter two concentrates on review of extant literature and conceptual clarifications on the meaning of insecurity, causes of insecurity, effect of insecurity on the national development of Nigeria and theoretical framework using the aggression frustration theory.

In chapter three, the research study examines the historical overview of insecurity in Nigeria. It also identifies the various security institutions trying to curb insecurity in Nigeria.

The chapter four examines the challenges faced by various security agencies in Nigeria in fighting insecurity in Nigeria. It also examines the impact of insecurity in Nigeria and its effect on Nigeria's national development.

Chapter five consists of summary of findings, conclusions and recommendations.