The Effects of Nigeria's Counter-Insurgency Strategy against Boko Haram on Human Security

Abstract

For the past twenty years, the Nigerian state has been plagued by a variety of security issues and tensions, including civil unrest, ethno-religious violence and disturbances, youth restlessness, secession threats, militancy, terrorism, and insurgency, among others. Leading to counterinsurgency measures by the Nigerian state. The human security of the impacted communities in the northeast, however, has suffered as a result. It is on this note, therefore, that the study examined Nigeria’s counterinsurgency strategy against Boko Haram on human security. The study adopted the qualitative research method in gathering data. The paper argues that although Nigeria's counter-insurgency tactics against Boko Haram are effective from the start, they do not crush and eradicate the movement; rather, they encourage a resurgence of the movement with increasingly complex waves of armed violence against the government and its security forces, as well as egregious violations of human rights and implications for the safety of the civilian population. The study concludes that a long-term solution to these security issues is unlikely as long as these counter-insurgency tactics are the sole means of combating the Boko Haram insurgency. The paper suggests that the government should create policies and strategies to lessen and eliminate social problems by limiting the activities of Boko Haram members in the northeast, through border control.

Keywords: Boko Haram, Counterinsurgency, Counterinsurgency Strategy, Human Security, Nigeria