The Relevance of Shari’ah to Curbing Insecurity in the North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

The research is designed to establish the relevance of Shari’ah in curbing insecurity in the North-Central Nigeria with particular reference to Niger, Nasarawa and Plateau States. The study employed descriptive survey, various respondents comprising Islamic Religious Organizations, Muslim Law-enforcement agents, Shari’ah Court Judges and the Muslim society in the North-Central Zone. Proportional sample technique was used to select five hundred and forty (540) for the study, while a total of fifty respondents from neighboring states of Niger for the purpose of pilot study. A reliability coefficient of 0.089 was obtained for all the forty-five (45) items in the instrument. The study found that there has been lack of commensurate disciplinary actions to crimes. The study also found that there is no proper knowledge and guidance of Islam. Added to these findings is that the entire life system of people is not guided by Shariah provisions. Based on this research, the researcher recommended among others that Shari’ah provisions should be well taught and understood with a view to curbing insecurity menace in the affected states. Proper knowledge and guidance of Islam should be adhered to and imparted to people in the society with a view to curbing insecurity acts. Government in collaboration with stakeholders (community leaders, youth leaders and other leaders of Community based Organizations) should come up with lasting solutions to insecurity in their affected states and / or communities. Government should deploy security agents to insecurity vulnerable areas with a view to dislodging the banditry attacks.