Insecurity

This study investigated the influence of grinding fineness on heavy metal leaching across seven common food matrices-melon, tomatoes, pepper, white and yellow corn, beans, groundnut, and crayfish-using both household and industrial tools. Samples were processed at two fineness levels (coarse and smooth), and analyzed for iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb). Results showed that smooth grinding consistently produced higher Fe and Zn concentrations than coarse grinding, indicating that finer particle exposure and increased friction enhance metal transfer from processing tools. Iron levels were highest in beans (10.97 mg/kg), followed by crayfish (6.47 mg/kg) and white corn (4.64 mg/kg), while zinc peaked in crayfish (1.15 mg/kg) and groundnut (0.82 mg/kg). Manganese were moderate, with the highest levels in pepper (0.71 mg/kg) and melon (0.58 mg/kg). Nickel appeared only in isolated smooth-ground samples, while cadmium and lead were largely undetected, except for trace levels in melon (0.015 mg/kg) and tomatoes (0.00008 mg/kg). Blenders, hand crank grinders, and aged milling machines contributed most to metal leaching, whereas traditional tools such as mortars and grinding stones showed comparatively lower contamination. Although detected metal levels generally fell within international food safety limits, cumulative exposure may pose long-term health risks. The study concludes that grinding fineness, tool type, and age are key factors influencing heavy metal migration during food processing. Routine equipment maintenance, use of food-grade materials, and greater public awareness are recommended to minimize contamination and ensure safer household and industrial food processing practices.

An increasing unemployment rate in Sub-SaharanAfrican economies presents amajor problem for the continent’s economies today. Since the early 1980s, economists and policymakers inNigeria have been deeply concerned about the issue of unemployment.Publicandprivatesectorsarepayingmoreattentiontothisphenomenondue tofinancialcrisis and this has exacerbated the country’s unemployment problem and, in turn, the country’s security issue. It is based on this premise that this study sought to examine the impact of unemployment on insecurity in Nigeria using the following research questions; how endemic is the unemployment situation in Nigeria? What is the relationship between unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria? How has unemployment brought about insecurity in Nigeria? To answer the aforementioned questions, the study employed the quantitativemethodology using the questionnaire as the primary mode of data collection. The major findings of the study were that; insecurity in all its forms has a negative impact on the unemployment situation in Nigeria which have further plunged the nation with increased hunger and instability. The general breakdown of law and order was said to have adversely affected the unemployment situation. Bad leadership was suggested as a possible reason for the rising insecurity situation across the country and that lack of Jobs drives youths to engage in all sorts of activities that cause insecurity. The study recommended that the administration of President Buhari must expand and improve upon its social intervention programmes to ensure the creation and provision of jobs to both skills and un-skills citizens of the country. This would go a long way in reducing poverty, and thereby minimizing the rate of crime in Nigeria and among Nigerians. Governance must therefore work to the benefit of its own citizens. Poverty and inequality should be eliminated if Nigeria is to be spared of violence. The government should create job opportunities for its unemployed youth. Without opportunity to work the people would feel that the society is against them and will wage war against them. Provision of employment has to be Nigerian priority.

Insecurity in Nigeria has reached an alarming proportion affecting various facets of our national life. Lives are lost on daily basis, population depleted, businesses on the ropes, investments are nose-diving, multinational companies shutting down and vacating the country, unemployment soaring and the populace in fears. Clearly, insecurity poses a threat to governance and economic growth in Nigeria. Nigeria has experienced certain level of insecurity right from independence in 1960, however, the level of insecurity in Nigeria has increased drastically over the years, since the exit of the military from the political scene and the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria about twenty-four years ago, Nigeria has witnessed an unparalleled security challenges that have put Nigerians and foreigners on their toes. More particularly, since 2007, the state of insecurity in the country has assumed an alarming dimension as a result of the activities of different elements. Such activities include militancy in the South-South region, kidnapping in the South-East, violent armed robbery, political assassination, ritual killings and more recently, suicide bombings in some parts of the Northern region especially North- East.1 Other recent insecurity challenges includes: cyber-crimes, attacks by unknown gunmen, banditry, kidnapping, Herders-Farmers clashes, COVID-19 pandemic etc.

This study examines the impact of insecurity on national unity in Nigeria with specific focus on the phenomenon of jungle justice in Esan North-East. The research investigates how the rising cases of mob action reflect citizen’s loss of confidence in the state’s ability to ensure security and justice. Findings reveal that jungle justice emerges largely from weak law enforcement
institutions, delayed justice systems and growing mistrust between citizens and security agencies. The study concludes that insecurity undermines national unity by creating fear, division and social tension among citizens. It recommends strengthening of local security structures, trustbuilding between communities and government, and reforms in the administration of criminal
justice to restore confidence in lawful procedures.