THE PERCEPTION OF BOKO-HARAM INSURGENCY IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

THE PERCEPTION OF BOKO-HARAM INSURGENCY IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF EKITI STATE

ABSTRACT

Book Haram is a very controversial Nigeria militant group that seeks for the imposition of sharia law in the entire northern states of Nigeria. The hierarchical structure of the group is not presently well defined. The official name of the group is Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awatiwal-Jihad, which in Arabic translate to people „committed to the propagation of the prophet„s teaching and jihad‟. Literally therefore the group means Association of sunnis for the propagation of Islamic and for Holy war (jihad) and Islamized northern states of Nigeria and probably conquer the entire country through jihad. So far, the group has been waging the war successfully in areas of stronghold mostly in Yobe, Maiduguri, Kebbi,etc. Boko Haram made its presence known in 2004, in Yobe states, and by 2011, it made its presence known to the global community by bombing the United Nations Headquarters in Abuja. In the last two years, it has willfully attacked hundreds of buildings and killed many innocent Nigerians. In spite of the calamity that the group has caused the government and people of Nigeria, It looks as if government is confused as to how to clip the group’s wings. Indeed many are worried because of the state of insecurity that the infamous activities of the group have caused. While some are of the view that government is not doing enough, others are of the view that government effort are being sabotaged. In this research work, we examined the perception of the people of Ekiti State on Boko haram insurgency in Nigeria. Questionnaire with personal interviews were conducted. After the analysis of the responses, we discovered that many people are of the opinion that Boko haram activity is a style used by some powerful individuals in authority to take charge of the affairs of the country. Others feel it’s not a religious crisis. Based on these, recommendations were made that specialist on crime affairs should train our soldiers in battling the insurgency. Also, it was recommended that individuals involved in this crime should not be covered by the federal government since it is obvious that they are known but are seen as the untouchable in the society.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The South-Western Nigeria in which Ekiti state is a part of, has received the news about the mindless massacre going on in the Northern part of the country by the insurgent/terrorist group called Boko-haram. This awareness would no doubt have created certain perception of what the cause of the phenomenon, the sect called Boko-haram and the possible intuitive understanding and insight with regards to the means of curbing the mindless killing. Before now, it is a common knowledge that Nigeria since her return to civil rules in 1999 faces some national security challenges across the six geo-political zones in the country (Ojukwu, 2011). The spate of bomb blasts, kidnapping, pipeline vandalization and other forms of criminalities in recent times in various parts of the country are emerging trends of domestic terrorism (Slann, 1998). This view was also shared by Minister of Police Affairs, retired Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, when he acknowledged that the nation now faced new security threats that were quite different from what we used to know. "I will rather say that we are facing new threats different from what we used to face before.”But as these threats confront us, we will find solutions to them; it is now a period to look forward and overcome the challenges that face us'', (NAN, 2011). In fact, the high rate of kidnappings, armed robbery and political assassinations are added dimensions to the security challenges, which are stretching the nation to its limits, sometimes constitute a great threat to the very fabric of its existence (Onyema, 2010).

A number of analysts have variously attributed the disturbing trend to political dissatisfaction, ethnic and religious differences, perceived societal neglect and pervasive poverty among the people (Samson, 2013). According to Ojukwu, youth restiveness in the Niger Delta area and parts of the South East occasioned kidnapping and disruption of oil installations, activities of members of the Odua'a People‟s Congress (OPC) in the South West and that of Boko Haram saga in the northern states; have also been worrisome since 1999 (Ojukwu, 2011).

In considering the activities of various ethnic militias that have emerged in both southern and northern parts of the country, which have resulted in the mass trail of human and physical destructions was mind-bogging and reprehensible to the generality of the populace. The trend of domestic terrorism in the country especially with activities of the dreaded Islamic sect popularly known as Boko Haram has become a major concern for both the Nigerian government and the international community (Dearn, 2011). Significant stakeholders in the country have offered suggestions on the need to check the new security challenges posed by the dreaded Islamic sect in particular in the country. While some suggested that a holistic approach be adopted, others called for collaboration with world leaders and international organizations as strategies to rid the country of terrorists (Ogbogbo, 2004). Some also suggested the need for dialogue with the sect.

Since the inception of President Goodluck Jonathan administration in Nigeria, security challenges has become an issue in discourse hence Boko Haram. Its philosophy stands for outright rejection of Western education, Western culture and modern science and advocates the propagation of strict adherence to Islam in its purest form. Boko Haram represents the vision and mission of a fundamentalist Islamic movement in Nigeria (Bagaji, 2012). The sect known as Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awatiwal-Jihad (people committed to the propagation of the prophet's teachings and Jihad) seeks to Islamize Nigeria by whatever means at its disposal and at whatever human cost. So far the dastardly activities of this sect have been confined to churches, security operatives and public buildings in the Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory but now have shifted to schools especially in Brono, Yobe and Adamawa state of Northern Nigeria (Danjibo, 2009).

The atmosphere of insecurity currently pervading the nation is now worsened by the allegation of complicity among high-ranking security personnel, executive cabinet which president Good Luck Jonathan openly said BokoHaram have infiltrated his government(Bagaji, 2012). The spate of bombing now is targeted at primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions respectively; killing and maiming students, teachers, lecturers as well as burning school building at will which forced majority of schools to close down in the North especially Borno, Yobe and Adamawa state respectively (Bumah, 2007).

The trend of insecurity in the country especially with activities of the dreaded Islamic sect popularly known as Boko Haram has become a major concern for every Nigerian. Significant stakeholders in the country have offered suggestions on the need to check the new security challenges posed by the dreaded Islamic sect in the country. While some suggested that amnesty be offered to the group; others called for collaboration with world leaders and international organizations as strategies to rid the country of Boko Haram terrorists. Some also suggested the need for strengthening of internal security to combat Boko Haram sect (Adesoji, 2010). This study therefore gives a brief explanation about the terrorist sect called Boko Haram Insurgency and also the South Western understanding about Boko Haram Insurgency especially Ekiti State understanding the sect.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The Islamic sect, Boko Haram has waged a relentless war of attrition on Nigeria since 2009. The sect has attacked mostly government‟s establishment, security operatives and places of worship, market and mass media (Mark, 2012). These assaults have accounted for countless death and injuries to Nigerian and destruction of property worth millions. Many have expressed concern that the attack if not decisively checked could spell grave danger to stability of the country, worsen security of lives and properties as well as freedom of speech (Adesoji, 2013).

The notion of a "war" on terrorists or countering insurgency has somewhat been over-exploited by the Nigerian state, thus reducing civil liberties as well as infringing upon fundamental human rights issues (Mark, 2012). Majority of Nigeria westerners are Christians and majority of Nigeria northerners are Muslims (Adigun, 2006). Again, one of Boko Haram sect‟s major aims is to make Nigeria a Muslim country (Onyema, 2010). According to Ayo oritsejafor, in the north, there have been high killing of Christians than Muslims and this as impacted fear in the south western state (Ortsejafor, 2011). Some South Westerners find it hard to interact with the Northerners due to fear , some even find it hard to talk about Boko Haram due to them been killed overnight (Agbiboa, 2009). It is thus unlikely that Boko Haram or any other international terrorism can be brought to an end by military means (Bagaji, 2012), although the existence of this terrorist group has not been felt on the Southern part of Nigeria (Bartolta, 2011).

In clear terms, the statement of problem runs thus: what is the Ekiti people‟s perception of Boko-haram insurgency and what implication has such feelings for national peace and unity, considering the diversity of the Nigerian society in terms of ethnicity and religion. In view of this, this work aims to study the people‟s feelings about the insurgency as such would serve as guide for policy makers and government hoping to curb the insurgency. In other words, the work aims to know the perception of individuals in the south concerning Boko-haram insurgency in the south with focus on Ekiti State.

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Following from the research problem, this study seeks to answer the following research questions:

1. What factors necessitated Boko Haram‟s operation in Nigeria?

2. What are the views of people in the South western Nigeria about Boko Haram insurgency?

3. What implications do the perceptions have on national unity?

4. How can Boko Haram operations be addressed in a country like Nigeria?

TOPIC: THE PERCEPTION OF BOKO-HARAM INSURGENCY IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

Chapters: 1 - 5
Delivery: Email

Number of Pages: 70

Price: 3000 NGN

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