Insurgency in Nigeria, Boko Haram's Operations and Future Outlook

Abstract

The Boko Haram insurgency has been a devastating conflict in terms of loss of lives, property, and the downfall of economic activity in Nigeria. Indeed, the Boko Haram Conflict has not only adversely affected the most populous country in Africa but affected all countries in the Chad Basin. Religious extremism has been identified as one of the factors behind the Boko Haram Sect but there is a dearth of quality research on that subject. Many other studies have explored the social and political factors behind the sect. This research has drawn a nexus between the activities of Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria to religious extremism, as well as some remote social and political factors that have contributed to the rise of the sect. The continuing terror being visited in several areas of Northern Nigeria and some other West African countries has necessitated the need of a probe into the root cause and factors influencing the growth of the sect. This is geared towards finding a sustainable solution to the conflict and similar conflicts that may want to arise in future. The research methodology deployed by the researcher includes qualitative and doctrinal methods. The research is in 4 sections, and it explores the different conceptions of terrorism, insurgency, and religious extremism and how they can be used to explain the nature of Boko Haram's operations. The research also assesses the future outlook of the Boko Haram insurgency, considering the coalition of the armed terrorist group with the Islamic State West African Province and what this means for the fight against insurgency in the Chad Basin region. In conclusion, the research recommends that Nigeria will need to address several issues ranging from economic challenges, as well as getting external support in fighting the Boko Haram insurgents.