TERRORISM AND NIGERIA’S SECURITY CHALLENGE: THE CASE OF BOKO HARAM

Abstract

The paper surveys the Boko Haram sect and its activities in Nigeria. It posits that the origin, spread and continued manifestation of the Boko Haram group reflect the dysfunctional character of the Nigerian state. The paper inter alia, establishes that the myriad and milliard attacks and manifestations of the Boko Haram sect pose enormous and complex security threat to Nigeria. Besides its multifaceted negative implications on human security and economic development, Boko Haram also portends harmful ramifications for the corporeality existence of the Nigerian state. The paper posits that two bare options present themselves to Nigeria: To defeat Boko Haram, or become deformed by Boko Haram. In view of this imperative, the paper concludes with a number of suggestions as panacea to the menace of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria.