ISSUES IN INTER-STATE BORDER SECURITY AND IRREGULAR MIGRATION IN THE SOUTHEAST ZONE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

This study explored the critical issues surrounding border security and irregular migration from South-East Nigeria. It focused on the indicators of border security, drivers and patterns of irregular migration, impacts and the challenges of managing these dynamics. It is a qualitative study and employed documentary data sourced from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and institutional reports, journal articles, governmental reports, books and other online publications. Securitization Theory was adopted as a framework for explanation. Findings revealed that poor policy implementation and diminishing state control of national borders resulted in unrestricted entry into Nigeria. The situation facilitates illegal cross-border activities, exacerbating national and regional criminalities and destabilizing socio-economic structures. The entry further gave rise to high youth unemployment, poverty, and inflation and these phenomena drive irregular exodus from the Southeast. Criminal elements exploit the irregular movements to indulge in human trafficking and organized crime. Governments’ initiatives like Operation Restore Peace and Ebubeagu Security Network were hampered by structural and operational limitations, inadequate inter-agency coordination, and resource constraints. Are form of the Nigerian border security management system, creation of job and skill acquisition centres and development of basic infrastructure for better living of the people are recommended.