PUBLIC SECURITY AND SAFETY

In a global era of increased securitization of migration between the developed and developing world this paper undertakes a gendered analysis of the difficulties women go through at the borders and its implication for public safety and security. It discusses institutions and structures that are operational at the borders and how vulnerable women are at the borders. The key issues of concern that women regularly face at the borders are highlighted to include inter alia: Rape and criminality, death (why do women die crossing the borders?), key findings and its implications for public policy. Through a data set in West Africa, it finds women are more likely to die crossing borders at the harsh physical boundaries of nation-states rather than at increasingly policed ‘internal border’ site.

Women are more likely to die crossing borders of nation states, and with the proportion of women crossing borders increasing, it is probable that deaths will likewise increase (Pickering and Cochrane, 2013). Women coming from the countries that are typically rejected for lawful entry, are also more likely to die at border and during migration from one country to the other, and with a lack of robust reporting mechanisms about border deaths, understanding about this vulnerable group still has a way to go (Pickering and Cochrane, 2013).

Coupled with the increasingly hazardous environmental border crossings; border deaths are likely to increase (Pickering and Cochrane, 2013).  These deaths at the frontier are likely to happen at sea while in some border this is likely to happen in the frontier of the desert, drowning caused by the inability to swim, the ways they are dressed, their compromised location on vessels, failure to access life vests and attempts to save children in their care (Pickering and Cochrane, 2013).
West Africa has become a major transit point for illegal drug ship¬ments to Europe and for Southwest Asian heroin to the United States. It has also become both a source of—and transit point for—methamphetamine destined for the Far East. West Africa also serves as a transit route for illicit proceeds flowing back to source countries. TOC exacerbates corruption and undermines the rule of law, public safety and security, democratic processes, and transparent business practices in several African states that already suffer from weak institutions. Due to its lack of law enforcement capabilities, its susceptibility to corruption, its porous borders, and its strategic location, Guinea-Bissau remains a significant hub of narcotics trafficking on the verge of developing into a narco-state. It is therefore imperative to work with African governments, European partners, and multilateral institutions to counter this threat to public safety and security, development, democratic processes, and the rule of law in the region (http://www.whitehouse.gov).

The Civil Military Relations (CMR) project was conceived in response to the growing insecurities, mistrust and the
changing nature of violent conflicts experienced across Nigeria, especially since the return to democracy in May
1999. The outbreak of violent conflicts and crimes has led to the consequent deployment of the Armed Forces in
internal security operations in the country in an unprecedented scale. As at the last count, 30 out of 36 Nigeria's 36
states are hosts to internal security operations being conducted by the Armed Forces. These new found roles of
the military have come with little training on how to manage relations with, and expectations of, the civilians as
they conduct internal operations or routine responsibilities. More often than not, the conduct of soldiers in
routine activities or during internal security operations has given rise to tensions and mistrust from the civilian
populace. Yet, robust CMR is critical to the success of military operations and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
It is against this backdrop that the CLEEN Foundation conceived the CMR project as a tool to deepen relations
between civilians and the Military in Nigeria.
A key product of the project is the CMR Roadmap, designed to provide strategies for fostering healthy CMR in
Nigeria. It captures core issues and challenges in the discourse of CMR in Nigeria with recommendations to
address them through a multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder approach. The Roadmap was developed through a
rigorous process that benefited immensely from the technical expertise of individuals drawn from the Military,
para-military agencies, relevant government and non-governmental institutions in Nigeria. Over a period of 18
months with series of steering committee meetings, national stakeholders' dialogues on CMR, national and zonal
level reviews and validation workshops, experts painstakingly reviewed and fine-tuned this document to serve as
a blueprint for improving the state of CMR in Nigeria.
We particularly thank the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force (with their respective Directorates of Civil
Military Affairs), Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Vigilante Group of Nigeria,
Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, National Human Rights Commission, Public Complaints Commission,
National Defence College, National Orientation Agency, Nigerian Bar Association, Ministries of Defence, Justice
and Women Affairs, Traditional leaders, Alumni Association of the National Defence College, FIDA, INGOs, and
CSOs for their contribution in the development of this document. We also express our profound gratitude to
technical experts who worked in their personal capacity to critically identify and provide workable solutions to the
challenges of CMR in Nigeria. The development of the CMR Roadmap is one of the critical initiatives of civil society
to bring together civilians and representatives of the Armed Forces to dialogue and articulate strategies to
resolving some of the factors militating against robust CMR in Nigeria.
We hope that state and non-state actors will proactively engage with the roadmap towards ensuring that the
recommendations contained therein are implemented by the respective stakeholders. The mechanisms
developed for monitoring and evaluation of the roadmap will also aid a culture of civilian oversight in entrenching
cordial CMR in the country. At this juncture, mention must be made of the recent efforts by the Nigerian Armed
Forces who, in recognition of the changing face of internal conflicts, are proactively initiating some quick impact
projects and establishing CMR Cells across their Units and Divisions to gain public confidence.
At the CLEEN Foundation, we will continue to pursue projects and ideals that promote public safety, security and
justice through empirical research, legislative advocacy, demonstration programmes and publications in
partnership with government, civil society and the private sector. I thank my colleagues across the CLEEN Offices
for their immense support to the successful implementation of this laudable project. With this roadmap, the work
has just begun and we all need to roll up our sleeves to consolidate on the achievements recorded.