STRENGTHENING CROSS-BORDER LEGAL FRAMEWORKS: COLLABORATIVE APPROACHES TO ENHANCING SECURITY AND ADDRESSING HUMANITARIAN CHALLENGES IN NORTH-EAST NIGERIA

Abstract

The North-East region of Nigeria has been plagued by persistent security threats, including insurgency, terrorism, and cross-border criminal activities, which have exacerbated humanitarian crises and undermined regional stability. This paper examines the critical need for enhanced cross-border legal frameworks to effectively address these challenges. By analyzing existing legal and regulatory mechanisms within Nigeria and its neighboring countries, the paper fund significant gaps and proposes strategies for fostering international collaboration. The paper explores the role of legal frameworks in facilitating joint security operations, improving intelligence sharing, and ensuring the protection of human rights in conflict zones. It highlights successful case studies of cross-border legal cooperation in other regions and applies these lessons to the North-East Nigerian context. Furthermore, the paper addresses the humanitarian impact of security issues, including displacement, access to healthcare, and the protection of vulnerable populations. In-terms of methodology this paper adopts a doctrinal approach. The paper recommends for a multi-faceted approach that includes harmonizing legal standards, establishing robust mechanisms for cross-border coordination, and promoting joint research initiatives. By proposing actionable policy recommendations, the paper aims to provide a comprehensive framework for enhancing security and humanitarian response efforts in the North-East of Nigeria through strengthened international legal collaboration. This analysis contributes to the broader discourse on improving regional security and humanitarian outcomes, emphasizing the importance of united research efforts and collaborative legal strategies in addressing complex cross-border challenges.