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

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.