THE SOCIO ECONOMIC IMPLICATION OF THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The continued bombings, killings, kidnappings and the destruction of property by Boko Haram have become of great concern to the Nigerian government and the international community. The activities of Boko Haram have effects on the economy and the people. This paper examines the implications of the operations of the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast of Nigeria. Findings from the study indicates that the atrocities of Boko Haram have severe implications on the economy and social lives of the people of the northeast where the activities of the sect is concentrated. The paper recommends for the insurgency to come to an end, the government needs to provide employment to the teeming youths, dialogue with the sect if the need arises and equip the military with sophisticated gadgets in order to confront Boko Haram foot soldier.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Democratic government was installed in Nigeria in 1999 after more than 16 years of military dictatorship. The aspiration of the populace was that with the coming of civilian government the dividends of democracy will spread to all nooks and crannies of Nigeria. However, their hopes have been dashed by the recent events in Nigeria. Fifteen years after civilian rule, the country’s security situation is pathetic that nobody in the country is safe from the attacks of terrorists, kidnappers, armed gangs and militants. Electoral and communal violence has also compounded the security situation that has made Nigeria unsafe for residence. The activities of the dreaded Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram have been a great concern to the Nigerian government and the international community, as in up to date, Boko Haram has killed more than 10,000 citizens despite the security measure taken by the federal government of Nigeria to checkmate the heinous crime of the sect against humanity. It was in the light of the failure of the government counter terrorism drive that made youths in the North- East part of the country to form a youth anti-terrorism movement called “Civilian JTF” to complement the effort of the government counter terrorism strategy.
According to Alozieuwa (2012) as cited by Anyadike (2013) “the challenge posed by Boko Haram in Nigeria is not only about the viciousness of either its terror campaigns or the sect’s avowed mission to impose Islamic law on the country, but about the confusion regarding the exact cause(s) of the violence”. A lot of factors have been attributed to the cause of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria such as socioeconomic, political and religious factors. However, Awojobi (2014) and Onuoha (2014) posit that the high-rate of poverty in Nigeria has made the youths enlisted in the ranks of Boko Haram foot soldiers which has elongate the conflict since 2009. Most of the activities of the sect are concentrated in the North-East of Nigeria. Despite the state of emergency that was declared by the Federal government, the killings, bombings and kidnappings of Boko Haram continue unabated. The activities of Boko Haram sect have led to economic, social and psychological implications in the North-East Nigeria where the sect has a strong presence. The purpose of this study is to unravel the implications of Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East Nigeria.
STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
Since 2009 when Boko Haram initially started its insurgency and the aftermath of the killing of Mohammed Yusuf the leader of the sect, the activities of the sect have continued unabated despite the effort of the government to curtail the heinous crime of the sect, over 10,000 people have been killed by Boko Haram. Most of the operations of the sect are concentrated in the North-East of Nigeria. The sect has use kidnapping and raping of women as a weapon of war. The poor are the most victims of the sect atrocities and the implications of the sect insurgency fall on the ordinary Nigerians. The purpose of this study to examine the implications of the sect in the North-East of Nigeria where the sect operations are predominant.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1. To examine the implications of Boko Haram insurgency
2. To evaluate its operations in the North-East Nigeria
3. To make recommendations for the way out of the sect insurgency
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study will be vital to the government, security apparatus and the general public. It will also contribute to knowledge of the implications of Boko Haram insurgency. Furthermore, the study will generate theory regarding the implications of Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East Nigeria.