Abstract:
Islamic extremism and radicalism in Africa is growing and compounding
development challenges the continent is already facing. Jama’atul Ahlus Sunnah Lid
daawatiwal Jihad popularly known as Boko Haram, which means western education
is forbidden emerged around 2002 as a local Islamic movement mainly for preaching
and charity to people in Maiduguri Borno State. Boko Haram, a largely domestic
terror group in Nigeria, has become one of the main sources of insecurity and threat to
economic stability not only to Nigeria but also to the neighbouring countries. No
nation can develop in an insecure environment with the increasing presence of terror.
The main objective of this study was to examine the threats of Boko Haram
insurgency on Nigerian national security and development. The specific objectives
included; to analyze the root causes of Boko Haram insurgency, evaluate the
strategies used by Boko Haram in achieving their goals; analyze the security
implications of Boko Haram activities and finally assess the possible solutions to the
Boko Haram insurgency. The research used poverty theory to explain the convergence
between deprivation, grievances and need to understand the root causes of Boko
Haram. Using mixed method approach that included survey questionnaires and oral
interviews with purposively sampled respondents in the eleven most affected states in
Northern Nigeria, the study revealed that first, long term marginalization of Northern
Nigeria has a strong relationship with Boko Haram insurgency, Boko Haram’s
grievances are rooted in cultural cleavages, and a sense of injustice regarding identity
affiliation. Secondly grinding poverty manifested in widespread unemployment of the
youth is partly responsible for the insurgency. Finally, ethnic and religious divisions
fuel the grievances that people have and make it easy for Boko Haram to recruit
young Muslim boys. The study therefore revealed that poverty together with
misconceptions of religion are the major factors that facilitated the emergence and
development of Boko Haram. The researchers recommend that Nigerian Government
should address the root and symptom of the problem by eradicating poverty,
providing employment to the people and enhancing security efforts.
