INSURGENCY AND UNDERDEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF BOKO HARAM

INSURGENCY AND UNDERDEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF BOKO HARAM

ABSTRACT

The paper explores the phenomenon of insurgency and underdevelopment in Nigeria, its adverse impact on nationhood and security, and recommends new management strategies that the Nigerian government can make use of in tackling the problem. A survey questionnaire was administered through a stratified random sampling to respondents. From a sample of the study composing of 358 people living in the five (5) north eastern states of Nigeria (Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe) and the respondents were the indigenes of the sampled states. The study showed that Boko Haram Insurgence have a negative effect on the Economic, Social, Political and Security of the people of Nigeria as a whole. The dangerous dimension the insecurity challenge has posed by the fundamentalist group Boko Haram has heightened serious fears among Nigerian populace. The trend has led to incessant suicide bombings and all sorts of attacks in the northern parts of the country with little or no provocation. Consequently, lives and properties are lost, business ventures and shops have remained closed especially in the north. Most regrettably, the people of southern part of Nigeria who are the life-wire of economic activities in the north are relocating in large numbers to their states of origin to avoid losing their lives in the hands of the sect. As a result of the findings, the study recommends the Federal government should provide enabling environment and adequate tools to well-trained security agents to perform their duties. A purely state-centric approach is insufficient for combating non-state security threats like the Boko Haram terrorist group. Thus, unlike President Jonathan’s response to the terrorist threat, with its emphasis on a large security force presence in the northern states (a full 20 percent of the country’s budget has now been dedicated to the defence sector) which is understandable, but is unlikely to completely quell the violence. What is needed instead is the kind of intelligence led policing that builds trust between citizens and a government that is perceived as legitimate, just, and effectively moving the country toward a better future.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Title Page

Declaration

Certification

Acknowledgement

Table of Contents

Abstract

i

ii

iii

iv

v

vi

CHAPTER ONE

1

1.1

Introduction

1

1.2

Background of the Study

1

1.3 Statement of the Problem

5

1.4 Research Questions

6

1.5 Research Objective

7

1.5.1 General Objective

7

1.5.2 Specific Objectives

INSURGENCY AND UNDERDEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF BOKO HARAM