Effect of Trans - Border Crime on Governance and Human Security in Nigeria

Trans- border crime is a new security phenomenon that no country in the world is free from. It poses a significant and growing challenge to both national and international security, with adverse effect on public safety\ democratic institutions and economic growth and stability. This crime gained ascendency after the end of the cold war and the advent of globalization through advancement in communication and transport technology. Trans border crime which includes Arms Smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking, amongst others breeds other domestic crimes such armed robbery, kidnapping for ransoms, electoral violence and subversion of electoral process and internecine conflict. Therefore this paper seeks to ascertain the effect ofthis global existential challenge referred to as trans-border crime on governance and human security in Nigeria. The data for this paper was collated through the review of relevant secondary sources. It equally adopted the securitization theory in establishing a pathway for the paper. The findings of this study established that Trans-border crime has significant effect on governance, which in turn impedes on the human security.This development therefore, has direct challenge to the well-being of a people and the ability of the state to perform its fundamental roles.Based on the findings the study recommends a multilayer and multilateral approach to mitigate its menace, along with strengthening of government institutions by cubing corruption and promoting social intervention schemes especially in the frontier communities in Nigeria.