Challenges of Combating International Terrorism: a Focus on Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria

Challenges of Combating International Terrorism: a Focus on Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria

CHAPTER ONE

Objectives of the Study

In view of the above stated problem, this study carefully selects the following as its objectives:

To investigate the factors that influences the rise of Boko Haram in
To highlight and discuss some of the re-known, threats to Nigeria’s national security posed by Boko
To be able to relate Nigeria’s currents position of under-development to the challenge forced by its National Security
To further prove that Security avails the opportunities to
To suggest and proffer solutions to the stated threats to Nigeria National Security, this research aims to provide an empirical solution to the challenges and turbulence that are the primary contributors to the present’s insecure and deteriorated political, social and economic condition in Nigeria.

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Introduction

The significance of any research work is based on the review of related or relevant literature. A good review of literature will enhance us with more knowledge on the topic of this research work which is “Nigeria and challenge of National Security: Study on Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State”.

This chapters cover and will be discussing the following: concept of security and insecurity, National Security in Nigeria, and Boko Haram activities in Nigeria, following with summary,

Concept of Security and Insecurity

According to Kurtus (2012) “security is the protection of person, property, and organization from attacks”. The theory of security is to know the types of all possible attacks, to be aware of the motivation for the attacks and your relationship to those motives. The security or defense against such attack or threats is to make it difficult to attack, threaten counter measures, or make primitive attack on a source of threat. These possible attacks can be:

Attack on person

Attacks on properties

Kurtus went further and added the motivation of attacks or reason a criminal would want to attacks another person, property, or an organization includes for financials gains, to get personal revenge, to promote a cause, or simply to kick or thrills.

Kaufman (1970) presented security not only as a system or societal level concepts but also as a subject experience and objective conditions. According to Kaufman; “the core problem of security was broken connection between inner experiences out conditions. The need for manifested in efforts to depends and protect oneself against dangers, in need for order and continuity and in aspirations for inner mental balance” (Kaufmann. 1970:24-27). Kaufman’s conceit of security of the “self” and orientation to an outer world. According to Adekanya (2000:211) “security or safely can be define as the Anticipation of state of being unharmed, free and safe both in present and future”. He also argued that any form of insecurity to life and property. Due to this, the importance of security is not only to the lives and properties, but also to the continuity of the economy”.

Advertisements

Security can also be seen as from two perspectives, from political angle, the definition focus not only the maintenance of the state organs as established by law, but also the continuity of social and economic structure that prevail in the society (Oyedele, 2008:3), on the other hand the second perspectives sees security as the protection of lives, rights, dignity and property of the citizen and the resources, territories in sovereignty and lawful institutions of the state (Bell, 1979).

Fromm (2002) emphasized that “security is a basic need to belong and avoid loneliness”. Adler (1964:1979) analyzed security as “basic need a human being tries to choose goals so that they the guarantee a niche, prevent feelings of inferiority, support, self-esteem, and bring security”, therefore, security need was the basis of the social contract between the people and the state, in which people willingly surrendered their right to and organ (Government) who oversees the survival of all. In this light security embodies the mechanism put in place to avoid, prevent, reduce or resolve violent conflicts and threats that originated from other states, non-state actions or structural socio-political and economic conditions (Stan, 2004).

For decades, issues relating to security were on the front burner in the development discourse.

According to Nwanegbo and Odigbo (2013) the divergent approaches to the conceptualization of security in the theoretical literature can be categorized into two major stands. One is a neo-realist theory that conceptualized security as primary responsibility of the state. The second is post modernist or plural view conceptualizes security as the responsibilities of non-state actors and displaces the state as a major provider of security. Proponent of this theory argues that the concept of security goes beyond a military determination of threats. They are of the view that government should be move concern with the economic security of individual then to security of the state because the root causes of security are economic in nature.

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Introduction

In any research work, different methods and tools are used for the collection of data needed for empirical studies.

Research Design

The research is on Nigeria and challenges of National Security: Study on Boko Haram Insurgency in Borno State.

The research work adopted quantitative method. Quantitative is based on measures of quantity of frequency, it ensures consistency of

administration so that the data may be coded and responses compared. In quantitative method, the data could be from primary or secondary sources. The latter utilizes pre-existence data (record analysis), while the former requires collection of data (Olabisis, 2004:130). This study comprises of both the combination of primary and secondary sources. One hundred and twenty (120) questionnaires were also being drafted and administered as well. Stratified sampling method or techniques would be adopted in this study.

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Introductions

This chapter is deals with the analysis and the presentation of findings from the questionnaire distributed to respondents for their opinions on the Nigerian and challenge of National security and out of the 120 questionnaires distributed, 112 were filled and returned three (3) were unfilled and the remaining five (5) were not returned. Thus, concise interpretation of data collected was analyzed, interpreted and presented below. The research have the following basic assumptions:

The rise of Boko Haram in Nigeria is a result of insensitivity of the government to the needs of the poor, disaffection between the major and ethnic religion groups
Boko Haram insurgency has led to lose of revenue and seeming disunity in Nigeria
The prolong existence of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria and Borno State in particular has a significant effect to both economic and political stability of Borno State and Nigeria in general.
The policies and programme initiated by government to mitigate the rise of Boko Haram have not significantly achieved the desired
Government should address impurity (and a main Boko Haram demand)by completing prosecution of the police officers alleged to have extra judicially executed Muhammed Yusuf; and investigated and prosecute crimes allegedly committed by the security services, government official, (State and Federal) and Boko Haram

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Introduction

This chapter attempt to give a concise summary, conclusions and recommendation of the major findings of the research work in so doing, it highlight and presents an appraisal of the entire research work. Following its analogy based on the data analysis and interpretation findings, relevant efforts were made at suggesting possible recommendations to alleviate the problems discovered in the course of the work. In addition, adequate suggestions were given for future research. Therefore, the chapters have the following objectives:

To investigate the factors that influences the rise of Boko Haram in
To highlight and discuss some of the re-known, threats to Nigeria’s national security posed by Boko
To be able to relate Nigeria’s currents position of under-development to the challenge forced by its National Security
To suggest and proffer solutions to the stated threats to Nigeria National Security, this research aims to provide an empirical solution to the challenges and turbulence that are the primary contributors to the present’s insecure and deteriorated political, social and economic condition in Nigeria

Summary

In this work, chapter one gives insight into the area under study. Here, background of the study area was systematically conducted taking cognizance to the peoples historical, socio-economic, political and cultural life, it also depict the geographical characteristics of the areas with emphasis or the climatatic elements and few elements of geomorphology. The prevalent problems of the study area were highlight and questions were raised for verification. To guide this research objective of the study was distinctly stated without leaving out the research question. Further effort was the statement of the basic assumption which was form as; the rise of Boko Haram in Nigeria is a result of insensitivity of the government to the needs of the poor, disaffection between the major and ethnic religion groups, Boko Haram insurgency has led to lose of revenue and seeming disunity in Nigeria,, among others. In addition the scope of the study was based on the factor that led to the existence of Boko Haram in Borno State and Nigeria which given emphasis on Boko Haram insurgency which have retarded development in Nigeria.

Chapter two was principally designed to conduct a review of related literature. Various opinion and view were expressed among the scholars, the social scientist, the optimist and the pessimists on the issue of Nigeria and challenge of National Security. These opinions were viewed in terms with reference to the carrying capacity of concept of security and insecurity and National Security in Nigeria. The researchers further conduct an investigation into the activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria. Having known their activities, the impact to National Security is destruction of countless innocents’ lives and properties worth billions of Naira, which clearly presented in chronological table of the activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria. Chapter three of this work is the research methodology; the focus here was on the research design in which the research work adopted the use of quantitative method, because of its quality of ensuring consistency of administration for data to the coded effectively. The researcher also give focus on the population were the civil servant. Traders, farmers, students and others able citizens and non citizens were the target, while the sample and sampling procedure required effectively conducted through stratified random sampling, following by the choice of instrument, where the researcher decided to use questionnaire as his instrumentation in finding of the data, and gives emphasis on the accuracy and consistency of the selected instrument. The method employ in Data Collection Procedure was through the use of questionnaires administered directly to the populace, the data acquired or retrieved questionnaires were analyzed through frequency distribution and percentages.

The fourth chapter which is result and discussion where the data presented, Analyze and interpreted only focus on the result of finding. This were done by initial presentation of the overall result from each of the question. The analysis of the data was systematically done by presenting the result of each item in the questionnaire in both frequency and percentages as shown in tables 1 to 20, using these tables in discussion of our finding, with addition on careful interpretation of the prefix question. The outcome encompasses the various assumption stated earlier in this work.

The prolong existence of challenges to Nigerian National Security is problem that need urgent and true redress based on the understanding and cooperation of the respondents or population concerned.

Conclusion

Evidence from the data analysis depicts that, the seamless spate of bombing, killings and other violent act since the second quarter of 2009 in the North-East and the country seems to suggest that Nigeria and Nigerians are forced with an insurmountable challenge of insecurity, what started like a childish play has deviated into serious National Security concerned and the government is cut in the web of dilemma on how to deal with the problem or issue.

The governance challenges facing the polity have tricked into the society, resulting in moral decadence. The growing dissatisfaction, discomfort and distress within the larger society coupled with the un-abating official corruption, high unemployment rate, economic crisis, pauperization of the masses, decaying infrastructure and a futile National Integration Project have heated up the socio-economic and political environment. Consequently, armed conflicts, terrorism, ethno-religious holocausts,

kidnapping, political assassination and other violent crime have become the leitmotif of Nigerian social relations. The government has made efforts to contain the insecurity inferno raging in many spots in the country, but until the moral foundation of which the Nigeria State fulcrum is regenerated.

Finally the Governance process must be erected on the pillars of moral value and virtues and the Nigerian people must be led by moral leadership that will strive to secure the committeemen and support of all citizens to make the Nigerian project a true success.

Recommendations

Nigerians political history has been marred by various forms of crisis; one of such is the present Boko Haram Insurgency in Borno State that had constituted major source of insecurity to the Nation. The effect of the present Boko-Haram on the economic, political and social development of the country, more specifically on the growth of economic activities in one of the viable economic nerve in the country. The research work brought out explicitly, that the insurgency in the North-East, particularly in Borno State had led to too many dislocations in the economy and even in the development of the Nation.

From the foregoing, here are some of the recommendation from the findings:-

Government must be proactive to dealing with security issues andthreats, through modern methods of intelligences gathering, and intelligence sharing, training, logistics, motivation and developing advanced technology in managing security
The Government should accelerate the parcel of development; consistof creating economy with relevant social, economic and physical infrastructure for business operations and industrial growth, to provide gainful employment, high level of educational facilities and medical care for the
Government at all levels should ensure that rising poverty indices are reversed and a realistic social security programme is pursued and systematically implemented to ensure that the populace meets their basic
The Government at State and Federal level should renovated all schools damaged in Borno State and others affected State as a result of the violence and ensure that they are provided with adequate

teaching staff and other resources in order that children access to education can be resumed as quickly and smoothly as possible.

The Northern Governors Forum should provide all necessary support to all those affected (including teachers and students) by violence in North-East Nigeria. This includes rehabilitation and resettlement for those who have been force to flee the violence.
The Northern Governors should provide various programme for enlighten the Northern people on what the term ‘Jihad’ means in This will help in tackling the mis-conception of the term by others evil Minded people, the programmes should be open to both Muslim and Christian.
The Ministry of Education should ensure that re-opened schools are subjected to regular inspection to ensure that standards are being
The curriculum of schools should be redesigned in such a way thatsocial studies and religious courses are to offer by all students in all level of education, so that the value system must be
The mass-media especially newspaper, radio, television broadcasting in Nigeria should be used to enhance and sustain the security of the The media should be use only for the promotion and consolidation of National Unity and Integration, folk theater, traditional morals and media, village squares and market places with modern media and employ them systematically for rural and urban security as well as for rural development projects and National development.
The Federal Ministry of Information should financially and practically support the establishment of television viewership and radio listenership centers in rural area and the development of community based broadcast media should be
The United States should encourage the use of local knowledge in counter terrorist operation against Boko Haram by simply providing technical assistance for combinations of the military and vigilantes to engage in sweeps to clean Boko Harm, as well as ensuring sustained resources for local law enforcement agent to hold and operate in the territory that has been cleared.

Finally, President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) should borrow a leaf from the strategy used by late, former President Umaru Musa Yar’adua to deal with the Niger Delta Insurgency. He should also be caution in dealing with foreign interests, to avoid being drawn into a terror orbit for greater than our present predicament. He should deal with Boko Haram attacks as peculiar problems deserving of appropriate home grown remedy, without courting the physical presence of foreigners.

Suggestion for further research

Towards advancing the present study, there is need for scholars to undertake further research. The researchers therefore, suggest the following topics for further research:

National Security in Nigeria: Impact of Corruption and Mismanagement in Northern Nigeria.
Boko Haram Activities: A Threat to Achievement of Education inNorth-Eastern part of

REFERENCES

Adejumo, A. (2011), The Problems and Challenges of Insecurity in Nigeria. Elvis: Ibadan Adekanye, B. (2007). Linking Conflict Diagnosis, Conflict Prevention and Conflict Management in Contemporary Africa, CODERIA Series.
Baiyewu, L. (2012) “Boko-Haram, Bad Signal to Foreign Investors” Sunday Puch, January 29.
Beland, D. (2007) Insecurity and Politics: A Framework, Canadian Journal of Sociology, vol. 32.
Campbell, D. (1992). Writing Security: United States Foreign Policy and Polity of Identity. Minneapolis, University Press.
Campbell, J. and Bunche, R. (2011. Nigeria’s Challenges”, The Atlantic, June 24.
Carson, J. (2012). “Nigeria, one Year after Election: Us on Boko-Haram, Democracy and Economy. A Press Release Prepared for the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Washington DC. April 9.
Clinton, R. H. (2007) Security and Opportunity for the Twenty-first Century, Journal of Foreign.
Agwanwo, E. and Worlu, S. (2010) Nigerian Police and the Challenges of Law and Order, in Journal or Research in Contemporary Education. Vol. 2. No. 1.
Adkinyemi, Y. (2001) African Security in Historical Perspective, in Adkindele R. and Ate (ed) Beyond Conflict Restoration; Managing, African Security in the 21^st Century NILA.
Balogun, O. (2011) two Boko Haram. The Punch Saturday November 12.
Barnett, J. (2001) the Meaning of Environment Security: Ecological Politics and Policy in the New Security Era, London, Zed Books.
Barry, B. (1983) People, States and Fear: The National Security Problems in International Relation Sussex, Wheat Sheaf.
Chuku, D.C. Wosu, E & Amugo, F. (2013), From Niger Delta Militancy to Boko Haram: A Sociological Analysis of Emerging Terrorism in Nigeria- Journal of Social Sciences and Development (JSSD)- Rives State College of Arts and Science, Port Harcourt, Vol. 1 No, 4.
Dele S. (2012) Perversity Time Bomb: Time and Bomb are here now.
Vanguard, Monday. March 19, P. 23.
Erinnosho, L. (2012) Political Violence in Nigeria. A Keynote Address Delivered at the Sociology Department National Conference at Gombe State University, Gombe on 7^th August.

Other Topics