THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATION OF THE BOKO-HARAM INSURGENCY IN NIGERIA (2013-2017)

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

 Background of the Study

Background of the study Insurgency is a threat to the economic, political and social security of a nation and a major factor associated with underdevelopment; because it discourages both local and foreign investments. Also, it reduces the quality of life, destroys human and social capital, damages relationship between citizens and the states, undermining democracy, rule of law and the ability of the country to promote development (Akhain, 2012).

On the state of the country, when people feel insecure, their appetite to invest, buy or rent from the product of investment reduces; and that is why all over the world today, any country that radiates an environment of insecurity naturally repels investment initiatives from both the international community and its own local investors. Every society across the globe has its peculiar problems and challenges in which Nigeria is not an exception. Today, insecurity is one of the greatest problems bedevilling various countries in varying degrees. It affects policies of government and also retards development (Ifijeh, 2011). A number of analysts have variously attributed the disturbing trend to political dissatisfaction, ethnic and religious differences, perceived societal neglect and pervasive poverty among the people. Some scholar attributed insecurity to the desire of man to satisfy his inordinate ambition of lust for power and this has often led to the irrational use of violence against the state, private organizations and the general public with the ultimate objective of achieving selfish goals (Akhain, 2012).

In recent times, there has been an upsurge in the frequency of crime in Nigeria. The problem of insecurity which used to be one of the lowest in the hierarchy of social problems facing the country seems to have assumed an alarming proportion since the end of Nigerian civil war in 1970. During the pre-colonial and colonial era, insecurity was merely handled by the Federal Government using the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Nigeria Police Force. The magnitude of insecurity in Nigeria has become so grave that the Army, Police Force, Air Force, Directorate of State Security, etc. have all been drafted into maintaining internal security. Even at that, the military which is saddled with the responsibility of defending the territorial boundaries of the country sometimes flee out of the country to neighbouring Cameroun in fear of the insurgents and they call it tactical manoeuvre. This has led to palpable fear among the populace as security of lives and property can no longer be guaranteed. The phenomenon of crime has impacted negatively on the economic, social and political life of the nation over time. It is worthy of note that over the years, different sets of groups had risen in Nigeria with real militancy approach in prosecuting their objectives. Notable among these group are the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) within Yorubas, Bakassi Boys and Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) among Igbos, Niger-Delta Militant in the South – South as well as Boko Haram in the North.

Ekanem, Dada and Ejue (2013) revealed that Boko Haram have been in existence right from the 1960s but only started to draw attention in 2002. It is on record that this particular group have been operating under the name Shabaab Muslim Youth Organisation with Mallam Lawal as the leader since 1995 but leadership of the group shifted to Mallam Mohammed Yusuf when Mallam Lawal left Nigeria. The emergence of Boko Haram insurgence has introduced a terrorist dimension hitherto unknown in the criminal space of Nigeria. Series of bombings have been carried out by the sect as well as taking hostage of innocent citizens including over 200 students in Chibok in 2014. This has raised both international and national concern which had also led to a campaign by civil societies called the Bring back our girls’ campaign. The Islamic terrorist group is growing in number and brutality. The continued rise in insecurity in Nigeria if not checked, may result into greater investor apathy for the country and low inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). It would make institutional investors look for other stable economies to invest their capital (Johnson, 2013).

 Statement of the Problem

Although terrorism has haunted the global political landscape for centuries, never in the entire history of man has it assumed the power and ugliness it displays in the present century. Terrorism has imposed a new strategic climate on the present global system by making every human a potential victim of its various forms. Hardly a day passes without news of some acts of terrorism in one or other trouble spot on our planet. If it is not a car bomb, suicide bombing, hostage taking, plane hijacking, kidnapping or an assassination by an aggrieved person or persons, it is the indiscriminate bombing of selected targets by state authorities or agents. The point is that we are now living in a world that is constantly being traumatized by continuous doses of terrorism. As a result, no one any longer feels completely safe whether at home, at work, walking along the streets or relaxing in a beer-parlour. Most worrisome is the fact that despite the world being awash with all sorts of activities to address the problem, terrorism has not abated in any significant manner (Imobighe, 2007).

Since 2009 when Boko Haram initially started its insurgency and the aftermath of the killing of Mohammed Yusuf the leader of the sect, the activities of the sect have continued unabated despite the effort of the government to curtail the heinous crime of the sect, over 10,000 people have been killed by Boko Haram.

Most of the operations of the sect are concentrated in the North-East of Nigeria. The sect has use kidnapping and raping of women as a weapon of war. The poor are the most victims of the sect atrocities and the implications of the sect insurgency fall on the ordinary Nigerians.

Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to examine economic impacts of boko haram insurgency in Nigeria. The objectives of the study are:

1. To examine the implications of Boko Haram insurgency on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
2. To evaluate Boko Haram insurgency operations on the welfare of the citizen.
3. To examine the effect of Boko Haram insurgency on national development

Research Question

The research questions for the study are buttressed below:

1. What is the implication of Boko Haram insurgency on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)?
2. To what extent will Boko Haram insurgency operations affect the welfare of the citizen?
3. How will Boko Haram insurgency affect national development?

Significance of the Study

The study will be vital to the government, security apparatus and the general public. It will also contribute to knowledge of the implications of Boko Haram insurgency. Furthermore, the study will generate theory regarding the implications of Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East Nigeria.

Students and Scholars will find the study to be of much benefit since it can serve as a basis for assessment, evaluation and possible adjustment for better performance.

This research has aided in examining the explaining resurgence of secessionist agitations in Nigeria 2013-2017. It would also proffer solution to insurgency and those other nations with similar fate.

Finally, since limited attention has been given to research of this kind in Nigeria, this study is likely to trigger many researches to be conducted in this area and other

Scope of the Study

The scope of this research is centered on the socio-economic implication of the Boko-Haram insurgence in Nigeria (2013-2017). This is based on the fact that the outbreak of the Boko Haram uprising in Nigeria started in July 2009 and marked yet another phase in the recurring pattern that violent uprisings, riots and disturbances became the order of the day.

Operational Definition of Terms

Boko-Haram: Boko Haram is an Islamic militant group that believes politics in northern Nigeria has been seized by a group of corrupt, false Muslims.

Terrorism: Terrorism is the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

Insurgency: An insurgency is a rebellion against authority (for example, an authority recognized as such by the United Nations) when those taking part in the rebellion are not recognized as belligerents.

Socio-Economic: Socio-economic is the social science that studies how economic activity affects and is shaped by social processes.

National Development: It is a process of reconstruction and development in various dimensions of a nation and development of individuals.

 Methodology

Desk based, internet analysis of existing publication on Boko Hram qualitative study rely on secondary data.

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