THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF CRIMINALITY ALONG NIGERIA-BENIN REPUBLIC BORDERS AND WORSENING INSECURITY IN NIGERIA
1Ahmed, L.E. and 2*Chilaka, F.C.
1Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
2*Department of Political Science, Renaissance University, Ugbawka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
E-mail: ahmedlukmandr@gmail.com, chigozielaski@gmail.com
Abstract: Most of the problems of African countries lie within the issue of boundary disputes. African states were at the eve of independence arbitrarily partitioned with artificial boundaries by the colonial masters. To say that an appreciable percentage of countries within the continent are faced with the challenge of porous borders, which allows different kinds of illegal trans-border activities to thrive, is to say the least. The aim of this article is to examine the political economy of cross border criminality between Nigeria and the Benin Republic. Hence, the objective of this article is to interrogate if there is any relationship between the Nigeria-Benin cross-border crimes, and the worsening security situation in Nigeria. The analysis was anchored on the political economy theory. This is because the production of material subsistence of the society determines its corresponding superstructure. Thus, as the capitalist mode of social production and distribution intensifies, crimes and insecurity, and other related issues deepen. The article relied extensively on secondary sources of data, using qualitative descriptive analysis. After a critical analysis of available data and evidence, the article revealed that there is a relationship between Nigeria-Benin Cross-border crimes, and the worsening security situation in Nigeria. In fact, the Boko Haram menace in Nigeria has been linked to several neighbouring African countries like Chad, Niger and Benin Republic. The article recommended, among other measures, that there is need for Nigeria to strengthen exiting joint border control commissions with the Benin Republic and, by extension, other neighbouring countries (i.e., Niger, Chad and Cameroon), to fight trans-border crimes. The Nigerian government should also guarantee appropriate national control measures, such as appropriate legislation and regulatory actions, upgrade skills in crime investigation, and enforcement techniques, and equip all law enforcement agencies adequately.