Politics of Exceptionalism and the Escalation of Terrorism in Nigeria; the Case Study of Boko Haram and Niger Delta Militants

Abstract

Nigeria had been a center for attraction appearing on the news headlines in recent years with the recent activities of the deadly and notorious regional sects of terrorist organizations, the Boko Haram and the Nigeria Delta militants, due to their terrorist’s attacks on both government and civilians. The rise of these deadly terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and Niger Delta militants in Nigeria had been widely linked to the poor political and security condition amongst many problems of Nigeria that has persisted over the years. With the increase in number of improved and modern weapons, suicide bombings and well-organized systems, Boko Haram and Niger Delta militants challenge to the Nigerian government now also spread throughout the country, not just as a regional warfare, but thus affects the economic, social and political development of the most populous country in the African continent, that is Nigeria. Relevant and related literature were reviewed using conceptual, thematic and theoretical approaches. Public policy and Neo-realist theoretical frameworks were adopted to explain the phenomenon. Data in this thesis was generated from informants or eyewitnesses and first-hand direct contacts knowledgeable about the research topic and strengthened with secondary data from Library materials, newspapers, journals and articles. The thesis further revealed that Government strategies failed because Government did not address socio-economic factors that created the veritable ground for terrorism, such as unemployment, poverty, corruption and poor economy. This thesis research recommends that Government should focus on good governance, job creation and employment opportunities, poverty alleviation, welfare and provision of modern equipment for the military and other security Agents, as well as effective border patrol all for the purpose of sustaining its sovereignty II and an effective counter-terrorism measure. The study will recommend or call for a total overhauling of the Nigerian political, economic, social and economic structure and even the political economy of the country, as well as the implementation of a sound youth empowerment programs and forward-looking social, political and economic policies, the implementation of the aforementioned, will greatly help in bringing down the drastic rise of insecurity in the country and curb out the issue of exceptionalism which gave rise to terrorism in most parts of the country.