Impact of Boko Haram Insurgency on the Socioeconomic Development of Borno State, Northern Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the impact of Boko Haram Insurgency on the socio-economic development of Borno State, Nigeria. Three research objectives, three research questions and three research hypotheses were formulated to guide this study. The study was based on the Karl Marx Theory of Violence Conflict. The study was a descriptive survey and was carried out in Borno State. A sample size of 400 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamani formula. The respondents were made up of Military personnel and civilians which were selected based on a multi-stage sampling technique. Questionnaire and Interview were the instruments used for data collection. The instrument gave high reliability of 0.84 when subjected to a reliability test using the Cronbach Alpha method. Collated data from the study were analyzed using frequency, mean, standard deviation and regression analysis. Results from this study showed that there existed a weak relationship between Boko Haram insurgency and economic activities, food, security, and educational development in Borno State. The study concluded that the Boko Haram situation demands the articulation of a comprehensive strategy and the political will to address its root causes and dangerous dynamics, focusing on inhibiting opportunities for recruitment and radicalization, and choke its financial windpipe, amongst others. The study noted that the Nigerian military has too often taken civilian casualties too easy into account. By killing citizens in the North, the population's frustration against the military increases, thereby increasing Boko Haram's appeal as an alternative. Thus, it recommended that the government should rather put its focus on the protection of civilians, witnesses and key peacemakers such as moderate Imams who preach against the insurgency.