Nigeria: Porous borders and the rise of lawlessness

Islamic oppression Nigeria | 13 October 2022

The borders to Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina states (neighboring such countries as Niger and Chad) remain porous and are easily accessible for violent militants to enter and exit the country.

In an interview published by The Epoch Times on 15 September 2022, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom warned that “general civil war reminiscent of Afghanistan” could happen in Nigeria if Islamic militants gain the upper hand.

In an article published by The Nigeria Lawyers on 2 October 2022, Chief of Defense, General Lucky Irabor, stated at a conference in Lagos on 30 September 2022 that 137 of the 261 border crossings in the north-east and north-west regions were unmanned. Particularly the borders to Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina states (neighboring such countries as Niger and Chad) remain porous and are easily accessible for violent militants to enter and exit the country.

Frans Veerman, Managing Director of World Watch Research, comments: “Although the General went on to speak about the increased investment in modern technology to monitor border movements, it is clear that the northern regions of Nigeria are largely unprotected: Islamic militants can move with ease. If the lawlessness increases, the under-staffed security forces are likely to be overwhelmed or join forces with militants where collaboration possibly already exists. The effect of civil war on the Christian community, which suffered the loss of 4,650 members through attacks in the most recent WWL reporting period (WWL 2022 Full Country Dossier, p.48), would most likely be devastating.”