Democracy and Security Challenges: An Expository Study of Selected Local Government Areas of Benue State Nigeria (2020-2023)

Abstract

In the face of recent security challenges that has crippled the economy of state and nations globally. Public and private sectors have seen a decrease in productivity and effectiveness in Nigeria. The study examined the impact of democracy and security challenges: An expository study of selected Local Government Areas of Benue state Nigeria. The study was guided by three research question and three corresponding research objectives. The study adopted frustration aggression theory as fundamental theoretical framework. The target population of the study was 15,032 using indigenes of three L.G.As. The sample size of the population was 376 based on Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sample size table. Random sampling technique was employed in choosing the respondents. Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Descriptive statistics involving frequency counts, mean and standard deviation was used in analysing data. The study findings indicated that Benue State is blessed with mineral and material resources. However, there is high level of poverty especially in the selected L.G.A. which has led the youths into engaging in social vices to make a living thereby threatening the peace and security of the state. The study also revealed unquantifiable ratio and unexplainable corruption in the study areas which has made democracy and its practice impracticable and unrealistic. The study also revealed terrorism as a major security challenge that has ravaged Nigeria as nation. The study therefore recommended among others that, Benue State government should endeavour to provide job or create an enabling atmosphere for the army of youths such that they could be gainfully employed or do something productive with their lives.