Impact of Environmental Degradation induced by the outbreak of Insurgency in Adamawa State, Nigeria

The study assesses the impacts of environmental degradation induced by the outbreak of insurgency in Adamawa State, Nigeria. This study adopted survey design method using quantitative and qualitative tools to source data. The study population were contacted through a multi-stage sampling procedure and 390 community members in 6 LGAs that hosted Internally Displaced Person’s IDP’s were sampled. Questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion, In-depth interviews, observation, walkthrough survey and checklist were the instruments of data collection. Simple descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data.The findings revealed that many communities were affected as a result of the outbreak of Insurgency in Adamawa State, these areas of degradation include water, farmlands, environment and socioeconomic projects. Within the study period, 18 communities hosted the IDP’s The results of the findings shows that 82.3% of the study participants reported that their communities were affected by the attacks of insurgency Also, 77.2% of the respondents agreed that their communities have hosted internally displaced persons as a result of the insurgency. The study revealed terrorism occasioned by Boko Haram through bombing have impacted on the built environment through vandalization of power plants, telecommunication equipment, educational institutions, military and paramilitary formations buildings and market structures. From 36 projects that were implemented by the various Government Agencies a total of 31 of the projects were completely destroyed by the activities of Boko Haram. Majority (98%) affirmed that Boko Haram were responsible for the destruction of buildings and depletion of the environment and Most (77.2%) of the respondents said they were aware of the environmental degradation induced by the dreaded Boko Haram and another (70%) respondents disagreed that Government has not make enough efforts towards improving the degraded environment. (82.8 %) respondents rated Government achievement towards strategies to improve the environment as low. Corruption (89.9%) and insecurity (80.5%) were the major problems encountered in the implementation of projects and policies that will help towards improving environment . Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that there is adequate awareness of the impact of environmental degradation induced by Boko Haram activities in the study area, and that the rural residents of the study areas have moved significantly from their communities to other communities for safety as IDP’s. Government and related agencies should ensure and maintain strategies that will help to improve and sustain environment.