SECURITY ARCHITECTURE AND INSECURITY MANAGEMENT: CONTEXT, CONTENT AND CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA
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Abraham Nabhon Thomas

Iro Aghedo
7.32University of Benin
Abstract
The resurgence of high profile crimes within the polity and the ineffective response by the national security apparatus have reignited the debate on the need to decentralize the police and allied security organizations in Nigeria. This article critically examined the operational structure and implications of national security management in Nigeria using the theoretical framework of concentric circle. The paper argued that the extant centralized and reactionary security system in the country embodies dysfunctional systemic implications that perpetuate violent insecurity. In tune with the concentric circles postulations, the paper identified the individuals as the centerpiece from where the household, community, the local government area, the state and the federation evolve and revolve as security circles of different radii. It posited that security concerns are in circles and actors within each circle are better attuned to concentrate and manage the security challenge therein. Accordingly, it underscored the need for decentralization of the police and other state-owned agencies of internal security management in order to mitigate the upsurge in crime and violence including those emanating from armed robbers, political assassins, ransom kidnappers, oil thieves, and Islamic insurgents among others