INSECURITY AND ITS IMPACT ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

In recent years, Cross River State has witnessed a rise in security threats, including kidnapping, banditry, and communal conflicts, which pose significant challenges to sustainable economic development. This study is situated within the broader national concern over the growing wave of insecurity in Nigeria and its detrimental effects on socio-economic progress. The research investigates how various forms of insecurity disrupt economic activities, deter investment, and impair the livelihoods of residents in the state. The study aims to examine the root causes, patterns, and socio-economic consequences of insecurity, with particular attention to how these threats hinder business operations, agricultural productivity, and tourism in the region. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining qualitative interviews with affected residents, security personnel, and local officials, alongside quantitative data collected through surveys and secondary economic reports. The expected findings will reveal a direct correlation between insecurity and economic decline, highlighting the urgent need for robust policy interventions and community-based peacebuilding efforts. The study anticipates offering practical recommendations for state authorities and stakeholders to mitigate insecurity and foster a more stable economic environment in Cross River State.