Impact of Boko Haram insurgency on human security in Nigeria

Nneka Sophie Amalu

doi:10.4314/gjss.v14i1.4

Abstract

The spate of violent attacks by Boko Haram in recent times which has been characterized by the abduction and killing of people; destruction of houses, schools, health care centres, churches, mosques and farms has plunged the country into a chronic state of insecurity. The basics of food, health, shelter, education and protection which constitute security to the human individual primarily, has therefore been threatened by the Boko Haram insurgency. The paper therefore examines the threats of Boko Haram insurgency on human security in Nigeria. Findings reveal that insurgency has claimed a lot of lives and property; compounded the food and nutrition insecurity situation in the country; aided the spread of infectious diseases; denied millions of children and youths access to education; increased the number of internally displaced persons with dire need of shelter and has caused people to live in constant fear and anxiety. This paper concludes that Boko Haram Insurgency has negative impact on human security, and recommends that counter-insurgency will be effective only when issues of poverty, corruption and bad governance are effectively addressed.

Highlights

Contemporary discussions on Nigeria is almost inevitably replete with issues surrounding insecurity, militancy, insurgency, and terrorism, due to the linkages with economic, social, political and governance activities, with spiralling effects on regional and international relations (Adewumi, 2014)
Since 1999, when the country returned to democratic rule, there has been an upsurge in violent activities in Nigeria with Boko Haram insurgency being at the forefront
The Boko Haram insurgency poses a threat to national security, “it should noted that the concept of national security, in the post-cold war era, has gone beyond securing lives and properties of the people through the protection of territorial integrity of the state against threats of external aggressors (Adedoyin, 2013:455) to encompass the protecting of citizens from the threats of diseases, hunger, unemployment, violation of human rights, displacements and shelter problems, conflict, political repression and environmental degradation, human security

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Contemporary discussions on Nigeria is almost inevitably replete with issues surrounding insecurity, militancy, insurgency, and terrorism, due to the linkages with economic, social, political and governance activities, with spiralling effects on regional and international relations (Adewumi, 2014). While terror activities of OPC, INC, MASSOB, and MEND can be explained within the context of politics and economy, the Boko Haram insurgency is an intricate issue; which can be attributed to political, social, economic, cultural, religious reasons (Idowu, 2013). He further attributed the causes of the Boko Haram insurgency to ethnicity, poverty/inequality, crises of the state, political culture and institution, and foreign influences. Though the effects are numerous, the focus here is on the basic needs of mans survival (human security)

Impacts of Boko Haram Insurgency on Human Security in Nigeria

CONCLUSION

Findings

Support for