(Pdf) impact of terrorism on nigeria security

Thesis Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>Introduction</strong></p><p>Terrorism is the use of violent action in order to achieve political aims or to force government to act (Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary). It can also be seen as using violent or threat to obtain a political objective. Terrorism has become a hydra headed monster characterized by unprecedented and unpredictable threats, both domestically and internationally and has kept governments of developed and developing countries on their toes. It has become one of the most complex and complicated phenomenon of the contemporary world (Stibli, 2010). The current wave of terrorism now poses a greater threat than ever before. It has caused sufficient harm to society in areas of loss of lives and property, economic loss by diverting foreign direct investment (FDI) from target countries to other non-target countries; crowd out government resources meant for development purposes by government</p><p>channeling a large part of its revenue into security vote.</p><p>Nigeria society is getting more and more insecure, more people are getting into various forms of crimes and terrorism and they are getting more desperate, ruthless, and sophisticated. Since the independence, the act of terrorist activity have ranged from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) group, Oodua People Congress (OPC) group, Movement for Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) group, Maitatsine group amongst others. In Nigeria today, new forms of violent crimes have been common. These include, kidnapping for ransom, pipeline vandalization, ritual killings, armed robbery and ethnic clashes (Ezeah and Osayi, 2014; Robinson, Obayori and Kingsley, 2014). According to Ezeah and Osayi (2014), one of the hottest insecurity in Nigeria is Boko Haram, a terrorist sect whose overt and covert activities has threatened the foundation of the country. Similar to this is the activities ofherdsmen’s, which threatened the unity of Nigeria. Thus, the activities of both Boko Haram and herdsmen presently make Nigerians live their lives in fear without knowing when Boko Haram suicide bombers and the secret killings of herdsmen will come their way. The ease and degree with which suicide bombers and herdsmen carry out their act shows that Nigeria government is not on top of the matter in term of security to stop the reoccurrence of these dreadful attacks. For instance the recent adoption of one hundred and ten female students in Dapchi government girl’s secondary school in Borno state by Boko Haram and the killing of seventy three people in Benue state in one day by herdsmen are clear cases that the Nigerian government is not doing enough in term of security to stop these attacks. Also, the security agents in Nigeria compromise security of lives and properties of her citizenry. This scenario plays out in most other organized terrorist related crimes such as banks robberies and kidnappings (Ezeah and Osayi, 2014). Similarly, Onuoha (2011) opined that due to act of terrorism, over 3,500 people were internally displaced, more than 1,264 children orphaned, 392 women widowed, properties such as church and school buildings burnt down in the aftermath revolt of Boko Haram in Borno state as far back as the year 2009.</p><p><strong>Statement of the problem</strong></p><p>The Nigeria terrorism and security challenges have strengthened their operations and become an increasing threat to the national security of Nigeria, obviously there is no better time to dwell on this issue than now that Nigeria is facing serious domestic security challenges. Thus, a growing number of academic publications have been produced concerning these challenges. This paper seeks to examine the challenges of security and terrorism in Nigeria and ways of containing their siege on the polity. The remaining parts of this paper is discussed, conceptual issues, causes of insecurity and terrorism in Nigeria, consequences of insecurity and terrorism in Nigeria.</p><p><strong>Objective of the study</strong></p><p>The objectives of the study are;</p><ol><li>To ascertain the effect on terrorism on national unity</li><li>To examine the causes of terrorism in Nigeria</li><li>To ascertain the effect of terrorism on national security</li><li>To examine the way forward of terrorism in Nigeria</li></ol><p><strong>Research hypotheses</strong></p><p>For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;</p><p><strong>H0: </strong>there is no effect on terrorism on national unity</p><p><strong>H1: </strong>there is effect on terrorism on national unity.</p><p><strong>H02:</strong>&nbsp;there is no effect of terrorism on national security</p><p><strong>H2: </strong>there is effect of terrorism on national security.</p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>Significance of the study</strong></p><p>The study will give a clear insight on the Impact of Terrorism on Nigeria Security. The study will be very significant to student and the government of Nigeria. The study will provide a lasting solution to the challenge of insecurity in Nigeria. The study will also serve as reference to other researcher that will embark on the related topic</p><p><strong>Scope and limitation of the study</strong></p><p>The scope of the study covers Impact of Terrorism on Nigeria Security. The researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;</p><ol><li><strong>a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL:</strong>&nbsp;The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study</li><li><strong>b) TIME:</strong>&nbsp;The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.</li></ol><p><strong>Finance</strong>: This project work involves huge financial expenses such as photocopy, typing and movement from one point to another to gather information. The financial problems not only hindered movement but also discourse one’s enthusiasm in learning</p><p><strong>Definition of terms</strong></p><p><strong>Terrorism:</strong>&nbsp;the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.</p><p><strong>Security:</strong>&nbsp;Security is freedom from, or resilience against, potential harm caused by others. Beneficiaries of security may be of persons and social groups, objects and institutions, ecosystems or any other entity or phenomenon vulnerable to unwanted change.</p> <br><p></p>