International Journal of Advanced Academic Research (Social and Management Sciences) | ISSN: 2488-9849 Vol. 6, Issue 6 (June, 2020) | www.ijaar.org Journal DOI: 10.46654/ij.24889849 Article DOI: 10.46654/ij.24889849.s6626 86 ASSESSMENT OF NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF NIGERIA *Simon Stephen Mshelia, Arhyel Yususf Mbaya, Galkaye Emmanuel and Esther Solomon Kasuwa Department of Geography, Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria. Email: msheliasimon48@gmail.com Tel: +2348035755461 ABSTRACT The paper examined National Security issues in different parts of Nigeria: challenges to national development and unity. Data were obtained through primary and secondary sources that involved critical observations of events, incidences, views of different categories of people as well as authors in different places and works of life in the country on contemporary security issues. Government responses to the insecurity issues in the country were also studied. The study clearly reveals that Nigeria is presently facing serious internal security challenges from the Boko Haram/Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) insurgency; kidnapping; the Niger Delta militancy; cattle rustling, banditry and Fulani militia. Others are: ethno-religious conflicts, porous border and arms dealings and election-induced violence. The paper also identified poor governance, ineffective leadership and implementation of policies, poor transparency, accountability and disobedience to rule of law, weak government institutions and corruptions with impunity, unemployment, poverty, porous borders and affirmed that all these security challenges no doubt pose enormous threats to the social, economic and political stability of Nigeria. The paper is of the view that the key to finding national security in Nigeria is getting the right leadership and good governance to eradicate corruption, bridge multi-ethnic composition of the Nigerian society, holistically deal with the identified insecurity in the land and finding government that would give assurance and confidence to every citizen that his or her fundamental rights as stated in the constitution is guaranteed and protected. Keywords: Banditry, good governance, insurgency, kidnapping, militia.