The Impact of Boko Haram Militant group on Nigeria’s Security

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.