Boko Haram Terrorism In Nigeria: Implications For National Security

The disastrous attack on the International Trade Center in the US on September 11, 2001, brought the world to the realization that terrorism is a global albatross that required urgent and holistic attention in which all peace loving individuals, groups, nations and organizations should jointly tackle to its roots. Al Qaeda has been fingered as being responsible for the murderous attack that threatened peace and security of the global community. Nigeria, throughout history has been exposed to ethno- religious violence and political discontent and has recently seen an escalation in associated violence threatening its sovereignty, territorial integrity, peace and stability. Since July 2009, Boko Haram has killed over 12,000 people in the wake of an Islamic insurgency with the death toll rising almost on a daily basis. The group has carried out frequent gun attacks and bombings, in some cases using suicide bombers?male and female, on various strategic targets including the United Nations building in Abuja. The most recent deadly effrontery by the Boko Haram insurgency was the abduction of over 300 Secondary School Girls in Chibok in Borno State ? North Eastern Region of Nigeria. This paper interrogates the evolution of insurgency and the factors necessitating its consistency in Nigeria, and investigates the socio-political implications of insurgency in Nigeria. It concludes by suggesting some panacea to stem the tide of insurgency in Nigeria.