Security Challenges in Nigeria and Decentralised Solutions: Qualitative Exploration of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun)

Nigeria's centralised security system, as outlined in the 1999 constitution, is a serious challenge. This article examined the complexities of policing in Nigeria, where state governors are establishing complementary security outfits in response to the challenges and inadequacy of the centralised system. This study explored the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) "Operation Amotekun" as hybrid policing, where both state and non-state actors collaborate in providing security. This research drew on interviews with members of Amotekun, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Securities and Civil Defence Corps, local security organisations, political actors, and leaders of ethnic groups. The findings revealed that reduction in insecurity in southwestern Nigeria is due to the hybrid nature of Amotekun in policing the region. The findings put to test the notion of a single, highly centralised police force and highlights the potential of a more decentralised and collaborative approach, as argued by the subsidiarity principle. While Operation Amotekun has reduced various forms of crime, there are dangers in the proliferation of ethnic-based security outfits. This article contributes to the ongoing debate by providing an exploration of how hybrid policing, and the subsidiarity principle, can resolve the perennial conflicts between the central government and the federating units on security matters within the context of Nigerian federation. The study recommends the hybrid security model between state and non-state actors in securing a federal state than the centralised provision in the constitution, which is antithetical to security provision in a federation.