BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY AND CROSS BORDER TERRORISM IN NIGERIA, 1999-2020

ABSTRACT

International terrorism has become a global phenomenon and has remained a global challenge since the 21st century. The violent activities of terrorist groups across the globe have affected both the great and small powers. Some countries such as Israel, the United States of America and Britain have relatively contained international terrorism. In Nigeria however, Boko Haram insurgency has remained a national challenge. This has led to general insecurity, fear and apprehension with the Nigerian state seemingly helpless in tackling the menace head on. Obviously, there is the general view that Nigeria is a weak state, and therefore seen as a state providing safe havens for terrorist operations. Several factors have been identified as being responsible for the prevalence of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. Among these are religious, political and socio-economic factors. The study therefore examined Boko Haram insurgency and cross border terrorism in Nigeria, 1999 – 2015. The study evaluated the emergence of Boko Haram insurgency; internal efforts of the Nigerian state to check mate the insurgency as well as regional or multinational coalition and the assistance from western states and European Union. The study employed the theory of the post colonial state in Africa and adopted a qualitative method of data collection and qualitative descriptive analysis. The study revealed that poor intelligence gathering, weak monitoring and surveillance of Nigeria’s borders and seaports, use of less sophisticated terror fighting gadgets have contributed to making Nigeria a safe haven for terrorist activities. Finally, the study recommended an overhaul of the management and security of Nigeria’s borders and seaports, proper equipping of Nigeria’s security agencies  and genuine commitment of Nigeria’s international collaborators against cross border terrorism

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• • TABLE OF CONTENTS
• • Title Page i
  • Approval Page ii
  • Dedication iii
  • Acknowledgements iv
  • Table of Contents v
  • List of Tables vii
  • List of Figures vii
  • Abbreviation/Acronyms x
  • Abstract xii
• • CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
  • 1.1 Background to the Study 1
  • 1.2 Statement of the Problem 7
  • 1.3 Statement of Research Questions 21
  • 1.4 Objectives of the Study 21
  • 1.5 Significance of the Study 22
• • CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
  • 2.1 Socio-Economic Contradictions in North East Nigeria and
  • emergence of Boko Haram Insurgency 23
  • 2.2 The impact of the support of the Regional Multinational Coalition on the
  • war against Boko Haram Insurgency 32
  • 2.3 The impact of the assistance of the Western States and European
  • Union on the war against cross-border terrorism in Nigeria 39
• • CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
  • 3.0 Introduction 50
  • 3.1 Theoretical Framework 50
  • 3.2 Hypotheses 63
  • 3.3 Research Design 63
  • 3.4 Methods of Data Collection 65
  • 3.5 Methods of Data Analysis 66
  • 3.6 Logical Data Framework 68
• • CHAPTER FOUR: SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTRADICTIONS IN NORTH EAST, NIGERIA AND THE EMERGENCE OF BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY
• • 4.1 Background on the Emergence of Boko Haram Insurgency 71
  • 4.2 The Almajiri syndrome and causes of Boko Haram Insurgency 83
  • 4.3 Violent attacks by Boko Haram Islamist sect and cases of Internally
  • Displaced Persons (IDP’s) 118
  • 4.4 Boko Haram Insurgency and its Implications on Nigeria’s
  • National security 139
• • CHAPTER FIVE: THE IMPACT OF THE SUPPORT OF THE REGIONAL MULTINATIONAL COALITION ON THE WAR AGAINST BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY
• • 5.1 Formation of the Regional Multinational Joint Task Force 149
  • 5.2 Counter Insurgency Efforts of the Nigerian State 154
  • 5.3 Weaknesses of the Regional Multinational Coalition against Boko
  • Haram Insurgency 164
  • 5.4 The United Nations Legal Instruments against International Terrorism 173
• • CHAPTER SIX: THE IMPACT OF THE ASSISTANCE FROM THE WESTERN STATES AND EUROPEAN UNION ON THE WAR AGAINST CROSS BORDER TERRORISM IN NIGERIA
  • 6.1 Theories of Cross Border Terrorism 180
  • 6.2 The Internationalization of Cross Border Terrorism and the
  • abduction of the Chibok School Girls 184
  • 6.3 Link between Nigeria Borders and Cross Border Terrorism 196
  • 6.4 Cross Border Terrorism and Nigeria’s External Relations 205
  • 6.5 Limitations of the Assistance from the Western States and European
  • Union on the war against Cross Border Terrorism in Nigeria 211
• • CHAPTER SEVEN: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
  • 7.1 Summary 218
  • 7.2 Conclusion 221
  • 7.3 Recommendations 222
  • Bibliography 244