1 Empower Her for Sustainable Development Initiative in Africa, Abuja, Nigeria.
2 Washington College of Law, American University, USA.
3 School of Criminology and Justic Studies, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, USA.
Review Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 24(01), 503-517
Received on 27 August 2024; revised on 04 October 2024; accepted on 06 October 2024
The fight against Boko Haram in Nigeria highlights the complexities of addressing a multifaceted insurgency that thrives on political, social, and economic dysfunction. This article examines the critical failures in Nigeria’s security and justice systems, which have allowed Boko Haram to flourish despite military interventions. It explores the limitations of a purely military response and underscores the importance of addressing the broader socio-political issues that contribute to terrorism. The article evaluates how government corruption, poor governance, and the lack of accountability within the security apparatus have weakened Nigeria's capacity to combat Boko Haram effectively. Moreover, it considers the role of international stakeholders, including the United States, in supporting Nigeria's counterterrorism efforts, while emphasizing that foreign assistance must align with domestic reforms to be effective. The application of complexity theory is proposed as a framework to understand the interconnected factors contributing to the persistence of Boko Haram. This approach underscores that addressing Boko Haram requires more than just military solutions; it demands addressing economic stagnation, political corruption, and social grievances that fuel the insurgency. The article concludes by recommending a holistic strategy that combines security sector reform, governance improvements, and international cooperation as the path forward for Nigeria.
Boko Haram; Security Failures; Political Corruption; Counterterrorism; Complexity Theory
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Charlene Charmwakat Makai, Ayoola Babatunde Fadola and Ayoola Babatunde Fadola. Beyond security failures: The complexities of addressing Boko haram in Nigeria. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 24(1), 503-517. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.24.1.3080