Benue State University, Makurdi

Boko Haram Terrorism and National Integration in Nigeria: An Assessment

Oga Ajene, Yange Clement Terlumun & Austin Toom Jembe

Abstract

This paper has examined the menace of Boko Haram terrorism and its implication on national integration in Nigeria. Through library research the paper established that the Almajiri factor, poverty, corruption, unemployment, sharia law implementation, rise in international terrorism and political alienation among others accounted for the root causes of Boko Haram. Available data on the levels and dimensions of terrorism in Nigeria revealed that the spate of violent attacks by Boko Haram in recent times has been characterized by the abduction and killing of people, destruction of houses, schools, health care centres, churches, mosques and farms which has plunged the country into a chronic state of fear. Consequently, the bounds of oneness which hitherto characterized our social formation is now threatened by the rampaging activities of Boko Haram, national unity and development has therefore remained elusive under the prevailing circumstances. In the light of the above, the paper recommends that government must be proactive in dealing with security issues and threats, through modern methods of intelligence gathering, and sharing among security personnel. The real solution lies in government accelerating the pace of economic development through creating an economy with relevant social, economic and physical infrastructure to support business and industrial growth as counter-insurgency will be effective only when issues of poverty, corruption and bad governance are effectively addressed.

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