Boko Haram, Herdmen and Niger Delta Militancy: Exploring the Dynamics of Nigeria’s Security Challenges

Boko Haram, Herdmen and Niger Delta Militancy

Abstract

The reality in Nigeria today is the danger posed by centrifugal social forces that has resulted in high rate of insecurity. The 
failure of past governments in their efforts to address holistically, the security challenges confronting the country has given 
rise to the growth of insecurity and their attendant challenges. The mayhem unleashed by the Boko Haram Islamic sect on 
citizens of the country, particularly in the Northeast geo-political zone had led to loss of lives, properties and the displacement 
of over 200,000 people in that part of Nigeria. Kidnapping, rape, armed robbery, destruction of oil facilities by Niger Delta 
militants alongside the attacks carried out by perceived Fulani Herdsmen on some communities in the North, Middle Belt 
and South of the country are also major security challenges facing the country. As a result of the dynamics of these centrifugal 
social forces, Nigeria has been listed among the terrorist countries of the world. Government responses to these challenges 
have been a mixture of carrot-and-stick approach that has not put an end to the menace. Rather, the rate of insurgency and 
in fact, general insecurity in the country is becoming alarming with each passing day. This paper contributes to the growing 
literature on this issue but, in addition, argues that there should be re-conceptualization of government failed approach in 
favour of a holistic and ideology driven approach. Relying strongly on secondary source for its validated and authenticated 
study data, the paper adopted the relative deprivation theory and argues that feeling of mass deprivation has resulted in 
aggressive and violent behavior by a large proportion of Nigerian youths. The resultant organized violent behaviour has 
found outlets in terrorism, banditry, militancy among others. Concluding that insecurity has been the bane of stability, 
growth and development in Nigeria, the paper recommended among others, that government should improve human, 
economic and security governance through well taught out policies and implementable programmes.