CHAPTER 1----INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The level of Terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria is becoming increasingly high due to the development in urban cities and also limiting the growth of economic activities and technological advancement. It is apparent that Many Nigerians are living in fear and suspicion following the constant attacks being experienced in different parts of the country. This terrorist attacks have led to the loss of many productive lives while many have been displaced and rendered homeless. Inaddition the level of foreign investment have been affected as many foreign investors have been held hostaged by terrorist in the past. Thereby leading to a state of insecurity in the country. Terrorism and insecurity are symptoms of poverty, communal conflict, political crisis and government insensitivity to the people. The need for national security cannot be overemphasized. It is fundamental for the economic growth and development of the nation and will accelerate the growth of foreign and domestic investment.
Hornby (2000), defined terrorism as the use of force to achieve political aims and objectives. The United States Department of Defense states that terrorism is the calculated use of illegal threat and violence to inject fear; intended to force or intimidate the governments or societies for the attainment of objectives generally regarded as political, religious or ideological. Terrorist are those people involved in terrorists activities. Insecurity is therefore the state of being subjected to danger, hazards and a condition of absence of safety and vulnerability. The study seek to appraise Terrorism and Security Awareness in Ogun Nigeria; A case study of Abeokuta metropolis.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The development and increased level of economic activities in our urban cities has attracted urban migration leading to population explosion, high poverty level, unemployment and other social problems. This has resulted to the high level criminal activities in many Nigerian cities. (Capeli, 1998; Ikturia & Bello2011).Ohunmelu (2005) noted that with the high population of Nigeria, the implementation of poor policies by government has constituted poor economic development and inequitable mechanism for the distribution of societal wealth. Consequently urban cities are besieged with the threat of terrorism, armed robbery, kidnapping and general insecurities. The level of criminal activities in the city of Abeokuta has in recent time attracted the attention of the government and security agencies .This criminal activities are high in poor residential areas therefore the lack of adequate policing in the area has resulted to a state of insecurity and subjected the areas as targets for criminal tendencies. The highbrow areas are not exonerated from the menace. Therefore, the problem confronting the study is to investigate Terrorism and Security Awareness in Ogun Nigeria; A case study of Abeokuta metropolis.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The fundamental objective of the study is to appraise Terrorism and Security Awareness in Ogun Nigeria; A case study of Abeokuta metropolis.
The specific objectives of the study include:
- To determine the level of terrorism and security threats in Ogun state, Nigeria.
- To appraise the types of terrorist/security threats.
- To determine How do we reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime and/or terrorism.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
i. What is the level of terrorism and security threats in Ogun state, Nigeria?
ii. What are the types of terrorist/security threats?
iii. How do we reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime and/or terrorism?
1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
Ho1: The level of terrorism and security awareness in Ogun Nigeria is not significant.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study shall proffer relevant information on the state of Terrorism and Security in Abeokuta metropolis to critical stakeholders to adopt appropriate measures to eradicate the menace.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study focuses on the appraisal of Terrorism and Security Awareness in Ogun Nigeria; A case study of Abeokuta metropolis.
1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The study was confronted with logistics and geographical factors.
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
INSECURITY DEFINED
The state of being subject to danger; vulnerability .The condition or quality of being insecure; lack of safety; danger; hazard.
TERRORISM DEFINED.
Terrorism is the calculated use of illegal threat and violence to inject fear; intended to force or intimidate the governments or societies for the attainment of objectives general regarded as political, religious or ideological.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
This is defined as Progress in an economy or the increase in the standard of living of the people, or the adoption of new technology for the development of the economy.
