Effect of Growing Insecurity on Agitation for Self-Determination in South-Western Nigeria

Unchallenged insecurity occurs on daily basis throughout the country and is one of, if not the most disturbing and discussed issue in Nigeria presently; thus seriously threatening the unity and cooperate existence of the country. The main objective of this study therefore is to examine the effect of unchecked security threats on the heightened agitations for self-determination by Yoruba ethnic nationality from the Federal Republic of Nigeria. After years of unaddressed marginalization by federal government, ethnic cleansing and insecurity targeting Yorubas notably masterminded by Fulani terrorists and herdsmen from Northern Nigeria, Yoruba self-determination agitators strongly insist that they are no longer interested in any other appeasement from government but in having an Oduduwa Republic. The research adopts Aggression-frustration theory and makes use of both authors’ close observation of events in Nigeria and secondary sources of data. The justifiability or otherwise of these secession agitations under international human right laws some of whose instruments are domesticated by the Federal Government of Nigeria; roads to self-determination from countries across the globe and efforts of the agitators to draw international attention are considered. This paper recommends creation of employment opportunities for the teaming youths; impartial dispensation of justice and trust building for all Nigerians; provision of basic needs of the citizens and precaution in the use of force by security agents on agitators to the federal government of Nigeria to reduce the degree of violence often witnessed during protest and rallies.