HYBRID SECURITY GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE PEACE BUILDING IN NASARAWA STATE, 2013–2026

Abstract

This study examines hybrid security governance and its contribution to sustainable peacebuilding in Nasarawa State between 2013 and 2026. The persistence of communal conflicts and the challenges of insecurity in Nasarawa State has necessitate the involvement of state and non-state actors in security management and peacebuilding efforts. The study investigates how these actors have collectively responded to security threats and promoted peace across communities in Nasarawa State. Adopting a qualitative historical research approach, the study draws on primary and secondary sources, including oral interviews, government reports, academic publications, newspapers, and archival materials. The findings reveal that the integration of formal and informal security mechanisms has contributed to conflict prevention, intelligence gathering, mediation, reconciliation, and community resilience. Traditional institutions and community-based security structures play significant roles in complementing state security efforts, particularly in rural areas where formal security presence is limited. However, challenges such as inadequate funding, weak coordination among stakeholders, political interference, lack of trust, and overlapping responsibilities have constrained the effectiveness of hybrid security governance. Despite these limitations, the study argues that hybrid security governance has contributed to reducing violence and fostering sustainable peace in Nasarawa State. The study concludes that strengthening collaboration among security actors, enhancing institutional capacity,and promoting inclusive community participationare essential for sustaining peace and addressing emerging security threats in the state. The study contributes to existing scholarship on peacebuilding and security governance in Nigeria.