Conflict Peace and Security : The Nigeria Experience

Conflict, peace and security issues today have become a matter of global concern. Every society on earth is riddled with conflict but there is no societies that will want conflict to degenerate into crisis talk less of violence or war. In Nigeria today, crisis of boko haram insurgency, Fulani herdsmen and farmers clashes, cattle rustling, militant group crisis, political crisis, corruption and a host of others have caused a lot of challenges that has threaten the cooperate existence of the country. Many have attributed this to environmental conditions which are mainly man made. What is the experience of Nigeria as a nation and how has the situation been managed? This paper, therefore reviews conflict, peace and security in Nigeria by examining the environmental conditions responsible, management of security issues, national security frame work put in place to address the issues and its effect. Keywords: Conflict, Peace, Security and Development DOI : 10.7176/RHSS/9-1-07

in government revenues, reduction in the human development index of the state. Lack of peace and fragile peace has become the largest obstacle to the sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The peace question has to be seen in two aspects: peace should be conceptualized and perceived not only in the negative sense of minimizing or resolving conflict but also in the positive sense of creating material conditions which provide for the mass of the people a certain minimum condition of security, economic welfare, political efficacy and psychic well-being (Goodhand et al 1999). In general, peace researchers agreed that peace entails the absence of war (absence of direct conflict), peace as justice and development (absence of structural violence), peace as respect and tolerance between people, peace as Gaia (balance in and with the ecosphere, inner peace (spiritual peace) and peace as 'wholeness' and making whole (Shedrack 2005). In all and sundry, peace is a necessity for any meaningful development. There is no gainsaying that we need peace in our day to day errands, our markets, schools, churches, mosques footballs fields and wherever human beings exist all need peace as the becomes desert in a city when there is absence of peace

Security
Security is the prime responsibility of the state. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria specifically states that "The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government". Peace and security are inter-related concept when social welfarism of individual, community and states are considered. It becomes apparent to disclose that security is basically the condition of feeling safe or free from harm or danger or threat. It is the defense, protection and preservation of core-values of the people. According to the Oxford English dictionary (Oxford Dictionary 2003), it is the protection of a person, building, organization, or country against threat such as crime or attacks by foreign countries. It is, therefore, the degree of resistance to, or protection from harm. It applies to any vulnerable and valuable asset, such as a person, dwelling, community, nation or organization. The United Nations Development Programme, 'Human security connects different types of freedoms -freedom from want, freedom from fear and freedom to take action on one's own behalf (UNDP 2015). At a minimum, human security means freedom from violence and from the fear of violence. To this extent, security means freedom with due respect for the fundamental human right of citizens.
It is therefore apparent that national security is a desideratum, sine qua non for economic growth and development of any country (Oladeji and Folorunho 2007). In the intelligence community there is a consensus that security is not the absence of threats or security issues, but the existence of a robust mechanism to respond proactively to the challenges posed by these threats with expediency, expertise, and in real time. Thus there is a general consensus in the contemporary literature that security is vital for national cohesion, peace and sustainable development. Peace and security are both a prerequisite for, and critical aspects of development. High levels of insecurity will lead to lack of peace thereby making development impossible. It is, therefore, necessary for the reform of a country's security sector if development programs of a country are to progress (UNSD 2013).

Development
Scholars have identified strong links between security and development since the cold war ended. They argued that development cannot be achieved in any nation where there are conflicts, crisis and war. There is a consensus in the literature that security and development are two different and inseparable concepts that affect each other, and this has naturally triggered debates on security-development nexus (Chandler 2007). Likewise, peace and development are inextricably intertwined. Removal of conflict is only the minimalist condition for the attainment of peace. For a lasting and reliable peace to be attained, it is important to fashion economic systems which can generate sustained economic growth, guarantee for the mass of the population a certain minimum of material existence or basic needs. The African development experience for the last two decades has been a major disappointment, whatever the developmental options. The hopes of the early 1960's have not been fulfilled and disillusionment seems to have set in. This has led to a sobering reappraisal which has resulted in many debates is evident in her failure to deliver corresponding social goods and solve problems of unemployment, poverty, disease, hunger, illiteracy and ever increasing crimes and wars. The concept of development will be vied in various perspectives due to its ambiguity of the concept. 'Social development' refers to many of the noneconomic processes and outcomes of development, including but not limited to: reduced vulnerability; inclusion; wellbeing; accountability; people-centered approaches; and freedom from violence (World Bank 2008). Also, 'Human development' is a process of enlarging people's choices by building human capabilities to lead lives that they value (UNDP 2008). This involves the capability to live long in good health, to be educated, to access resources and social protection, and fair employment. As such, human development is also fundamentally concerned with human rights, including those to life, health and wellbeing. In another perspective, Economic development is the increase in the standard of living in a nation's population with sustained growth from a simple, low income economy to high-income economy. In all and sundry, the concept of development cut across the human and environment.

Conflict and Its Sources
The sources of conflict are inherent in the relationship among individuals, groups of diverse ethnic, historical, religious and languages. Consequentially, the end products f conflict is destruction with negative impact on the environment and humanity. Nigeria over the years has had its own fair share of the consequences of conflict. Although the Nigeria state is blessed and endowed with so much human and material resources, she has been and is still bedeviled by conflict and crisis both in her socio-economic and political sphere. The source of conflict in Nigeria ranges from inter-ethnic rivalries, religious, politics, and the environmental/resources sources of conflict. One consequence seems certain, there have been destruction of lives, properties and the displacement of millions of individual.
Nigeria is one of the largest and important state in Africa with the nomenclature 'Giant of Africa' or 'the Big-Brother Africa'. The Nigeria society has been characterized with widespread religious aggression and violence mostly among the two imported religion Christianity (Trans-Atlantic religion) and Islam (Trans-Saharan religion). The geographical configuration of Nigeria since the pre-colonial period, through the colonial period has made the issue of religion complicated with ethnic differences. Today religion has become the measurement of every activity in the state pushing it to the brink of collapse. The increasing institutionalization of religion into politics despite the secularism and the aggressive competition among the two religions has had a negative impact on Nigeria nation. Recently the confrontation among the leaders of both religions in matters of state has posed threat to the essence of state, governance and religion itself to humanity. Overtime, one can identify this notable religious violence.
In the Northern Nigeria where these issue of religion fundamentalism, extremism is becoming a threat has had so much on religious violence. In the 1970's, it was a decade of religious wrangling and public demonstration, the 1980's and 1990's were known for riots and outright political violence, countless tragedies and clashes (Falola 1998 The religious conflict in Nigeria has always taken the reflection of both religion has hidden under in the sphere of education, power and resource sharing, pilgrimage and missionaries works, area of Nigeria foreign policy. For instance the religious leaders clash over Nigeria joining the Organization of Islamic Country (OIC) and over the state funding of pilgrimages. The nature of religious conflict among the Christian in Nigeria is taking a dynamic status of socio-political undertone making it more complicated and threatening to Nigeria's survival, an exploited area for extremist, fundamentalist, political leader to perpetuate evil and cause disunity Ethnicity tends to be used loosely to refer to commonality of language, religion, identity, national origin and even skin color. Ethnicity according to many sociologists and anthropologists, the core element in ethnicity has to do with "memories of a shared past", involving the collective memory of a people (Bates 1986). The challenges and opportunities of contemporary ethnic relations in Nigeria are shaped within the framework of social, political, economic and cultural institutions. Nigeria has experienced a bitter past when it comes to the issue of ethnicity. From the period of the European divide and rule system, the establishment of regional political parties, and the Akinsanya crisis of 1941 which sees the beginning of ethnic voting system in Nigeria. Ethnic rivalry has become a factor and source of conflict and backwardness in Nigeria, this has led to thousand of soul been annihilated, millions of properties and infrastructures have been destroyed in the name of dominance and marginalization This is clearly evident in the 1999 Sagamu inter-ethnic crisis, 2002 Idi-Araba, Lagos ethno-religious crisis, 2002 Yelwa-Shendam crisis, 2011 Gwantom-Kaduna crisis, 2013Benue-Taraba crisis, 2002-2013Wuse crisis, 2002, 2011 Jos crisis (Bawa 2009). Ethnic groups in Nigeria consider ethnic loyalty first before national loyalty. They have transformed into ethnic militia who today uses ethnicity to cause a daunting challenge to the state. Violence, especially ethnic violence in contemporary Nigeria can be located in the internal contradictions and dialectics of the Nigerian Political economy. In' recent times such conflicts have been recorded in such places as Ilorin, Kafanchan, Kaduna, Funtua, Kano, Zaria, Ile-Ife, Zango-Kataf, while virtually all the oil producing communities of the Niger Delta have been the epic center of communal conflicts with the challenges of marginalization and social deprivation (Adejumobi 2003).
According to Adejumobi, in Nigeria, primordial identities of ethnic, communal and religious formations have taken the centre stage in social and political interactions (Adejumobi 2003). Ethnic socio-political organizations like the Afenifere, Ohaneze and Arewa Consultative Forum are perhaps the most palpable on the political turf. These groups have penetrating networks and profound influence in the Nation's political parties. The corollary of these groups especially at the youth level are the ethnic militias, such as Oodua People's Congress (OPC), Egbesu Boys of Africa (EBA), Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Niger Delta Volunteer Force, ljaw youths, Arewa people's Congress (APC) and other religious militia groups in Northern Nigeria (Adejumobi 2003). These groups claim to represent specific ethnic or communal interest and adopt various tactics including violence in the conduct of their activities. This has in no small measure strangulated the developmental strategies of the Nigeria nation.
Conflict over natural resources is as old as human history. Nigeria in recent years has had another series of experience from the conflict over natural resources. Resources from nature are not evenly distributed over earth surface. Nigeria is blessed with mineral resources yet the different kind of climatic conditions, soil, topography, water bodies, natural vegetation, mineral wealth and other natural endowment are not evenly distributed over the earth surface. There is an increasing inter-dependence between man and resources (economy) and resources and politics in Nigeria. Conflict over control and ownership of geographical area rich in natural resources have been a source of conflict. Examples of such conflicts includes struggle over the ownership of oil wells and where oil pipes are located, Ogbogoro War (1998), the Obeakpu (Oyigbo) Conflict (1999), the Bille -Ke Conflict (2000), the Nembe War (2000) and the Olomoro-Oleh Conflict (2000) (Osaghae et al 2007). Other Instances from the South East Nigeria where oil is primarily dominated has witnessed series of conflict with the Federal government over budgetary allocation and revenue percentage due and oil companies to the destruction of land in the region during exploitation, manufacturing (pollution) and environmental degradation. This has given rise to ethnic militias in the region perpetrating crimes that generate into conflict such as kidnapping, oil bunkering and destruction of properties. Examples of such conflicts have been stated to include those of Umuechem vs. SDPC (1990), Ijaw vs. Chevron (December 2000), Elelenwo vs. Shell (2000), and Agalabiri & Abadiorma vs. SPDC (July 2000) (Edith et al 2013). Land disputes among communities are another source of conflict that has assumed dangerous dimension. For instance, in Abakaliki of Ebonyi state in Nigeria, the communal war between Igbagu, the border town between Ebonyi and Ukelle people of Cross River State. According to Uka (2009), it claimed over 100 lives in 2009, In the Northern Nigeria, the Tiv/Jukun crisis, the 2002 plateau crisis over th ownership of Wase town, the 2002 land dispute between the Eleme and Okirika people, the menace of Fulani-herdsmen encroaching farmlands, destroying crops and planted vegetation in every part of Nigeria has resulted into the death of thousands and several internally displaced citizen. As at 2003, Okaka town, an agrarian local community in Itesiwaju Local government area of Oyo state was at the receiving end of this menace. In 2010, there was a bloody clash between members of Umumilo Village and their counterpart in Abudum Village in Anambra state, Nigeria over alleged destruction of farm crops and economic trees worth a large sum of money, on a disputed portion of land, as well as the removal of an ancient boundary hedge demarcating the two communities. It took the intervention of armed police men to restore calmness to the villages (Odogwu 2011). The crisis had resulted in maiming, killing and displacement of thousands of people due to dispute over farming and land grazing (Ovuakpori 2011). Nigeria cassava Growers' Association estimated the loss of 20 million worth of cassava over 97 hectares area of land, 30,000 yam seedlings (Ezeonwuka and Igwe 2016). Cases of these encroachment includes March 5, 2015, in Riyan local government of plateau states , 10 people were killed with more than 100 houses burnt, in 6 March, Buwa Village in Ibi Local government area of Plateau, many people killed and houses burnt, The situation is not different in Nasarawa, Adamawa, Ogun, Delta and Cross River states where Fulani herdsmen persistently engaged farmers in feuds that often resulted in serious causalities on both sides (Sun Newspaper 2015: 18).
Nigeria has a long history of politically based violence since the collapse of the first republic on January 15, 1966, and the incursion of the military into politics and governance that same date. The electoral politics in Nigeria right from 1960s till date have been characterized with violent conflicts, political thuggery, assassinations, and arson. Politicians in Nigerian do not accommodate dialogue, negotiation and consensus (Eme and Onyishi 2013). Political contests are characterized by desperation, and violent struggle for political power among politicians. Recurring political violence in Nigeria could be attributed to over-zealousness and desperation of political gladiators to win elections or remain in office at all cost. These misadventures have often been catastrophic leading to decimation of innocent lives, disruption of economic activities, and the destruction of properties among others. The integration of different ethnic group in Nigeria state is to say Nigeria is a conglomeration of different ethnic groups (Jaja and Jude 2013).

Instrument of Resolutions and Nigeria Experience
Conflict is naturally an inevitable part of human life. If conflict is managed and resolved effectively, there could be greatness, love and upward movement of socio-economic and political phases of live. Conflict resolutions are important for cooperation towards a sustainable development. Accordingly, the concept of conflict resolution can be thought to encompass the use of non-violent resistance measures by conflicted parties in an attempt to promote effective resolution (Robert and Garston 2009). Conflict resolution is a conceptual perspective that assumes individuals preferred method of dealing with conflict. Conflict resolution is seen as a variety of approaches aimed at terminating conflicts through understanding and constructive method of solving of problems. This will halt irrational violent behaviors and hostile attitudes from people either of ethnic, religious, political and socio-economical levels.
Added to the instrument above, on 20 May 2013, the Federal Government issued a formal Proclamation of the State of Emergency with the concurrence of the National Assembly. The preamble to this Proclamation acknowledges that "Nigeria has been experiencing serious crises, internal tension and civil disturbances which presently constitute grave threats to peace, order, good governance, security and safety of life and property", and that "these crises and disturbances transcend religious, political, and ethnic divide with the perpetrators of the crises utilizing terrorist tactics, thereby occasioning serious breakdown of law and order (The National Human Right Commision 2013) In the present, Nigerian situation is constantly threatened by security challenges in different parts of the country, it is therefore germane to put in place required conflict resolution mechanism to resolve these conflicts and avoid protraction. There is an enormous consideration before adopting any form of resolution approach. There are different forms of conflict resolution the Nigeria government has adopted. It is imperative to state that an understanding of the nature of conflict is important and necessary in order to determine the most appropriate and workable approaches and mechanisms of conflict resolution. This is because the understanding of the type of causes and actors will be a very useful tool for that purpose. However, the most common conflict resolution approaches or mechanisms in Nigeria include peace negotiations, mediation and arbitration, good governance/grass root community based activities.
Negotiation is one of the conflict resolution mechanisms. The term negotiation has been described by Ivorgba as a form of "collaboration . . . a situation where some people seek to satisfy their needs and interests while at the same time seeking to maintain relationships with others" (Ivorgba 2005). The glossary of the Berghof Foundation (2012) further described the process in a similar vein with Fisher and Ury (1991) in their 'Getting to Yes' as mode of communication between two parties that seeks to reach an agreement. According to the glossary, "negotiation" is a "face-to-face discussion for the purpose of reaching an agreement on a situation that is perceived as a problem or conflict" (Berghorf Foundation 2012). The process of negotiation involves procedures, communication, a direct process of dialogue and discussion taking place to settle conflictual interest among different parties. For example; The Nigeria civil war between January 1967-1970 was characterized with ethnic chauvinism, political bickering, and resources control experienced different kind of negotiation before, during and after the war. Instances of this negotiation is the "Lagos Peace Conference", the national conference, which commenced in Lagos on September 11, Aburi Peace Conference, 1967 in Ghana by the Nigeria's Supreme Commander and Regional military governors, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in November 1967in May 23, 1968, Kampala Peace Talk (Aneke 2007. The Nigerian government overtime has proposed series of negotiation process with the Boko-Haram religious sect. As part of the negotiation methods employed by the federal government, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Reuben Abati in a statement informed on a mode of strategy proposed. In his words, "the ongoing talk is a back channel one in which those who know members of the group are talking with them on behalf of the government"(Adeyemo 2012). Recently, in addition to the conditions of ceasefire, the group had also asked for the release of its members imprisoned in exchange for the over 270 kidnapped schoolgirls (Alison 2014). The case of Niger-delta militant group can also not be left out. President Umaru Yar'Adua's administration in September 2008 considered a peaceful measure. In September 10, 2008, the administration constituted a Technical Committee to recommend ways to reduce violence in the region. This step bought a unilateral ceasefire from the militants. Consequently, the committee in December 2008 made several recommendations. These include: appointing a mediator to facilitate discussions between government and the militants; grant amnesty to some militant leaders; launch disarmament, demobilization, and rehabilitation campaign; and channeling 25% of the oil revenue to the Delta up from the current 13%. However, dissatisfied by the recommendation, President Yar'Adua, in February 2009, constituted another committee to review the earlier recommendations on possible resolution of the ND unrest. The government, in the end, considered a "conditional amnesty" (Integrated Regional Information Network 2010). This is to suggest that the world is moving away from open confrontation (i.e war) to diplomacy, dialogue and negotiation Arbitration/mediation has played a significant role in the settlement of ethnic/religious crisis in Nigeria.
Arbitration involves is an agreement of the parties that the dispute between them be settled by a tribunal of their choice. Mediation on the other hand has been presented by the United Nations University for peace as the voluntary informal, non-binding process undertaken by external party that foster the settlement of differences and demands between directly invested parties (Miller 2003). In other words, arbitration and mediation involves the use and assistance of a neutral third party in conflict who hears the evidences from both parties and thereafter renders a decision which is expected to be binding n the parties. A perfect instance of arbitration in resolving conflict is seen in the agitation of the Niger Delta region in South-East Nigeria over resource control or derivation principle in the allocation of the Nigerian Federation Resources: The Niger Delta region believes that the 13% of oil revenue is too small; therefore, the people of the area agitate for a limit of 50% before the constitutional review committee. With their agitation and through arbitration process, there came an agreement that it would be pegged at 25% (Chudi 2017). Good governance and grassroots community based activities is another form of conflict resolution, and prevention depending on the response of the government. Good governance is running the affairs of the government in positive and progressive manners beneficial to the governed and delivers public services. In the presence of good governance, grassroots' community based activities will be described as a pro-active process that supports the process of de-escalating potential conflict or resolving an occurred conflict. In Nigeria, the Niger-delta region and several conflict ridden areas of the country has advocated for good governance and dividends of democracy. The ethnic militants are agitators in the political phases for good governance towards having a sustainable democracy. It is imperative to note that grassroots based activities is a potential source of deterring conflict in Nigeria because most resources conflict over land and territories; vegetations Nigeria is experiencing currently are as a result of neglect of government to the activities of this communal area. When the community solidarity is lost to violence then protracted conflicts remain the potential process of settling differences. Such instances are the Ife-Modakeke crisis in Osun state, the Chamba Jukun and Kuteb crisis in Taraba state, the Umuleri/Aguleri of Anambra states. All this conflict has become protracted and is potential threat to human lives and properties. In such manners, the importance of community virtues and good governance remain uncontestable.
As an agendum to the above, it is glaring that Nigerian government has employed some of the resolution process such as negotiation, arbitration, mediation, and collaboration. Some of this resolution instrument; such as good governance and grass-roots mobilization have not been effectively and efficiently engaged due to the state problem with leadership and sustainable democracy. However what have been the Nigeria experiences as far these resolutions are concerned? The Niger-delta crisis remains protracted, the boko haram insurgency continues with serial bombings, suicide bombers, kidnapping, political thuggery, killing and destruction of government and individuals properties. Ethnic violence assumed new phases as well as religious violence with burning of churches and mosques. Violence over resources in Nigeria has become a force to reckon with as community, individuals clashes remains protracted. Forty seven-years after the Nigeria civil war, the country is still bedeviled by the question of National Unity. Political violence and ethno-religious politics assumed the democratic process. Guaranteeing free, fair and credible election devoid of any conflict and violence during election remains obscure. Thus, the implication of such negotiation cultures, which lack the sense of protecting and ensuring a long term relationship with the other party, has been a source of problem compilation for Nigeria.

Peace and Security as Panacea for Development
Every nation of the world clamors for peace. It is well recognized all over the world that peace and security of life and property are the primary conditions for progress and development of any society (Arase 2007). The issue of peace remains one of the major focuses of national and international community. This is because there is a relationship between peace and sustainable development. Peace is actually a catalyst for national development. Development cannot take place in any nation without human security (Akamode 2004). The importance of peace and security to development is succinctly put by the United Nation Development Programme Administrator and Director, Thelma Awori in Adedeji, 1999, in the following lines It is now widely accepted that violent conflict is a major hindrance to the development of African continent. It inflicts human suffering through death, destruction of livelihoods, constant displacements and insecurity. Violent conflicts distrupt the process of production creates conditions for pillage of the countries resources and divert their application from development purpose to servicing war. Violent conflict is thus responsible for perpetuating misery and underdevelopment in the continent (Victor 2005) Peace and security is a panacea to development as conflict have the capacity to severely constrain development endeavors by destroying infrastructures, interrupting production process and diverting resources away from productive ventures. The panacea of peace and security to development would be examined in terms political development, economic development, social and human development etc.
The importance of peace and security in economic development is that of necessity, according to Okowa (2005), development includes growth, income distribution, poverty alleviation and provision of basic needs of food, shelter, health and education for the masses. From a broader spectrum, Todaro posits that: Development, in its essence must represent the entire gamut of change by which an entire social system, tuned to the diverse needs and desires of individuals and social groups within that system moves away from a condition of life widely perceived as unsatisfactory towards a situation or condition of life regarded as materially and spiritually "better". (Todaro 1981) In other words, economic development embraces change that would improve the human elements, who in turn would improve their society -environment, social institutions, and per capita income of the citizen. This can only be feasible in a peaceful and secured atmosphere. In essence, the most important barometer for measuring development is peace and security. This concept of sustainable development in the 21 st century among the developing countries and with the sustainable development goal's of the United Nation strongly hinges on peace and security. The relevance of peace and security to economic development includes but not limited to encouragement of economic unity, attraction of foreign direct investment from foreign investors, establishment of industries and manufacturing industries, consequently job creation and available employment opportunities.
The political landscape of Nigeria, the formation of government through election and electioneering, distribution of power and decision making process. The Nigeria experience over the years has pose visible threat as the Nigeria political scene become dangerous on daily basis. The importance of peace and security to politics can be measured firstly in the aspect of election. With the parameters of peace and security Nigeria citizens can perform their civil rights of voting and contesting in electioneering. Nigeria election has always been characterized with killings, community clashes, electoral violence, political assassinations, and use of thugs to disturb voting process. Nigeria is a country where elections are "rigged" to occupy political positions, political appointments are based on God-fatherism, and employments are based on sentiments Nigeria is vulnerable to insecurity and conflicts emanating from the nature and character of politics in many states of the federation. Today the absence of peace and security in Nigeria politics has accounted largely for the deformed leadership, instability of government, corruption and bad government. Madu and Udezo (2010) maintained that Nigeria has democratic system of government but seems to be struggling with issues of accountability and good governance. The above scenario cannot lead to development and judicious utilization of human and material resources in the absence of peace and security in any nation. Peace and security are important parameters if the Nigeria needs political development such as the election of rational and merit leaders, management of its resources for growth, good governance that promotes justice, equality and an egalitarian society.
Peace and security encourages the improvement of infrastructural base of the nation such as roads, electricity, water, school, hospital among others to ensure a change in the standard of living of the citizenry. Peace and security encourages social development of the citizens and religious tolerance. Any nation with absence of unity as a result of violence and crime will not witness any appreciable national socio-infrastructural transformation.
As noted above, for development to take place in any society it requires sustainable peace. Scholars are in agreement that for there to be sustainable peace, society must evolve ways of addressing the root causes of conflicts by helping to foster participatory democracy, just and accountable governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and a balance and equitable distribution of resources, among a host of others (Chambers 2005)

Recommendations
From the foregoing discussion and the catalog of conflict and violence in Nigeria, the paper emphasized the importance of conflict resolution in abating conflict from degenerating into war. The paper thus makes the following recommendation.
• The introduction of peace and security studies into the Nigeria educational curriculum at this critical period of conflict and violence. If it properly designed, it would go a long way in appealing to our moral, psychology and perception about conflict. It would enlighten us and prevent cultural and ethnic conflict. • The government should guaranteed and provide regular training for security personnel's in the state as well as equip them with modern technological equipment as to effectively combat threat and violence in the nooks and crannies of the state. • A long-lasting solution or resolution to crisis should be adopted. This can be done through a detailed understanding of the cause, course, cost and crisis of the conflict. God governance and grassroots cooperation should be promoted as they are the potential roots of conflict. Information units of the country such as the Voice of Nigeria, National Orientation Agency should be empowered to sensitize and enlighten people about the causes, consequences of conflict and the need for peace and security.
• History as a discipline should be made a compulsory at all level of education. This goes a long way in enlighten the new generations about the issues, conflict of the past and how they can avert such a conflict at the present. Man s product of his environment, man is necessarily a product of history, society and history are inter-twined. A citizen that doe not know where he/ she is coming from will eventually don't know where to go in terms of development.

Conclusion
The need for this study is driven by the serious conflict and insecurity challenges Nigeria is facing. Undoubtedly, peace and security cannot be guaranteed in Nigeria today. Nigeria has faced grave challenges that have threatened her corporate existence, both in the past and in the present. The paper has examined the concept of peace, security and conflict. The paper has also highlighted the various sources of conflict as well as the various instruments of resolutions. The paper concludes by examining the importance of peace and security to the growth and development of the state