This work articulates that Nigeria’s security is troubled by transnational crimes prevalent in West Africa by making an important argument that since West African states lack the capacity to uphold the basic demands of statehood within their territorial domains, they unavoidably serve as safe havens for trans-organized criminal networks, which has grave implications to Nigeria’s domestic concerns.
Table of Contents
THESIS STATEMENT
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND TO TRANS- BORDER CRIMES IN WEST AFRICA
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
INSTITUTIONAL LAG
CORRUPTION
NATURE AND DYNAMICS OF TRANS-BORDER CRIME
EFFECTS OF TRANS-BORDER CRIMES ON NIGERIA’S SECURITY
TRANS-BORDER CRIME AND NIGERIA’S SECURITY
ARMS TRAFFICKING AND NIGERIA’S SECURITY
CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This master's thesis investigates the nature, dynamics, and security implications of transnational organized crime in West Africa, with a specific focus on its impact on Nigeria's national stability and governance.
- The intersection of state fragility and the proliferation of transnational criminal networks.
- The role of institutional lag and systemic corruption in facilitating cross-border illegal activities.
- An analysis of major criminal enterprises, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and oil bunkering.
- The link between the illegal small arms trade and the escalation of internal security conflicts within Nigeria.
Excerpt from the Book
NATURE AND DYNAMICS OF TRANS-BORDER CRIME
Trans-border crime is a key issue in public administration, as it concerns with the citizenry, private and government business, state institutions as well as national economies. Anegbode, Oslemen & Akande (2017), explicitly define border management as the government function of immigration, customs, excise and policing, with the aim of regulating the flow of people and goods across a country’s boundaries in the national interest. They however note that the perception of a government about external threats/ risks determines its responses to border insecurity and the border management system it puts in place, stressing that a state’s failure to manage its border can undermine its domestic and international status.
Payne (2013) asserts that the phenomenon is understood as crime that takes place across the borders of two or more countries with grave consequences on governance and public tranquility. Again, Payne (2013) is of the opinion that trans-national crime grew with the advent and growth of globalization which ushered in more interdependence among societies, thereby enabling criminal network to move together with legitimate enterprises and spread tentacles across many countries. Albanese (2012), having examined the nature of the phenomenon posits that it is important to separate transnational crimes from international crimes. According to him, trans- border crimes are crimes often committed for the purpose of making financial profit whereas international crimes are human rights abuses, genocides, crimes against humanity etc. Therefore, while trans-national takes place across two or more international borders, international crime can take place in a single territory.
Summary of Chapters
THESIS STATEMENT: Outlines the argument that weak state capacity in West Africa provides a safe haven for criminal networks, negatively impacting Nigeria's domestic security.
INTRODUCTION: Provides a contextual overview of regional security challenges, emphasizing the porosity of borders and the prevalence of illicit cross-border flows.
BACKGROUND TO TRANS- BORDER CRIMES IN WEST AFRICA: Examines the historical emergence of cross-border criminal industries in the sub-region since the 1970s and 1980s.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: Utilizes the State Fragility Theory to analyze why West African nations fail to uphold statehood demands and effectively combat criminal activities.
INSTITUTIONAL LAG: Discusses how low standards of governance and weak law enforcement structures create an environment conducive for traffickers and criminal syndicates.
CORRUPTION: Analyzes the symbiotic relationship between illicit businesses and public officials, which undermines judicial and security institutions.
NATURE AND DYNAMICS OF TRANS-BORDER CRIME: Defines the scope of trans-border crime and its transformation into a sophisticated "multi-crime" industry.
EFFECTS OF TRANS-BORDER CRIMES ON NIGERIA’S SECURITY: Discusses the multifaceted concept of National Security and the broader threats posed to the state.
TRANS-BORDER CRIME AND NIGERIA’S SECURITY: Evaluates the specific impacts of drug trafficking, human trafficking, and oil bunkering on Nigerian public safety and the economy.
ARMS TRAFFICKING AND NIGERIA’S SECURITY: Addresses the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and their role in fueling internal conflicts and extremism.
CONCLUSION: Summarizes the study’s findings, highlighting the need for stronger legal orders and institutional reform to counter complex criminal networks.
Keywords
Transnational crime, Nigeria, National Security, West Africa, State fragility, Drug trafficking, Human smuggling, Oil bunkering, Small arms, Corruption, Institutional lag, Organized crime, Border management, Money laundering, Conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this research?
The research examines the relationship between prevalent transnational criminal activities in West Africa and the resulting security threats faced by the Nigerian state.
What are the central thematic areas?
The core themes include state fragility, institutional corruption, the mechanics of illicit cross-border trade, and the consequences of these activities on domestic peace and economic development.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to analyze how the lack of state capacity in neighboring countries and within Nigeria itself allows organized criminal networks to operate, thereby undermining Nigeria's national security.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The work employs a qualitative analytical approach, utilizing State Fragility Theory as the framework to investigate the nexus between institutional weaknesses and the rise of trans-border crimes.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover the background of West African border crimes, the role of institutional and political corruption, and specific case studies on drug trafficking, arms proliferation, and oil theft.
What are the key descriptive terms for this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as transnational organized crime, state failure, security governance, and the erosion of human capital.
How does the author define the impact of oil bunkering?
The author describes oil bunkering as a severe economic threat that fosters a culture of violence, pollutes the environment, and fuels the acquisition of weaponry by rebel groups in the Niger Delta.
What link does the author establish between government officials and crime?
The author argues that high-ranking officials are often complicit in criminal networks, either through direct involvement or by accepting bribes, which ultimately destabilizes the judicial and security systems of the region.
- Quote paper
- Victor Ukpong (Author), 2017, Transnational Crimes and Nigeria's Security, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/448584
