Nigeria Placed Among Global Worst Performers in Internal Security Assessment
A comprehensive global policing and internal security evaluation has positioned Nigeria among the world's poorest performers, ranking the nation 122nd out of 125 countries assessed in the 2023 World Internal Security and Police Index (WISPI). This index systematically measures how effectively countries manage law enforcement, public safety, and institutional trust.
Persistent Weaknesses in Policing Structures Identified
The findings, which were disseminated via a statistical account on social media platform X, highlight enduring deficiencies in policing frameworks across various regions, particularly in Africa and Latin America. Venezuela, along with several conflict-affected states, occupies the lowest tier of performance.
The WISPI report specifically evaluates police capacity, legitimacy, effectiveness, and outcomes such as safety levels and crime reporting rates. Nations in the bottom bracket typically grapple with significant underreporting of crimes, diminished public trust in law enforcement institutions, and constrained operational capabilities.
Complete List of Worst-Performing Countries in 2023
Below is the detailed ranking of countries with the weakest internal security and policing systems according to the 2023 WISPI data, presented with their scores on a scale from 0 to 1:
- Venezuela — 0.190
- Democratic Republic of Congo — 0.230
- Uganda — 0.230
- Madagascar — 0.270
- Guinea — 0.270
- Nigeria — 0.270
- Republic of Congo — 0.290
- Zambia — 0.290
- Côte d’Ivoire — 0.300
- Mali — 0.300
Nigeria's placement at 122nd globally underscores severe challenges in maintaining internal security, with the country scoring a mere 0.270 on the index.
Escalating Insecurity Amid Political Transitions
The security landscape in Nigeria has historically intensified during electoral periods, often approaching states of near-anarchy. This pattern was recently emphasized by former Akwa-Ibom state governor and current Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who publicly asserted that unrest in certain regions is likely orchestrated by politically motivated actors seeking to undermine the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
As Nigeria prepares for presidential elections scheduled for January next year, insecurity has escalated to alarming levels, even endangering security personnel themselves. In a recent incident, a 15-year-old boy was apprehended while attempting to purchase food supplies for his group, linked to the killing of a brigadier-general in Borno state.
Further exacerbating the crisis, students traveling to Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination centers were abducted by armed gunmen. Additionally, reports of planned attacks in Abuja, the federal capital territory, have prompted precautionary measures, including the evacuation of some United States officials from the American embassy.
Government Response and Training Overhaul
In response to the deteriorating security situation, President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency on security training institutions across Nigeria. This decisive action addresses the substandard conditions at training facilities for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and other internal security agencies.
The global assessment serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to enhance policing effectiveness, rebuild public trust, and strengthen institutional frameworks to combat internal security threats.
