Terrorism and Armed Conflict in Nigeria: A Case Study of Boko Haram

Cajetan Osisioma

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20

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Terrorism and Armed Conflict in Nigeria: A Case Study of Boko Haram

Cajetan Osisioma

Published in International Journal of Law and Society (Volume 5, Issue 1)

Received: 2 January 2022 Accepted: 21 January 2022 Published: 16 February 2022

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Abstract

The North-East region of Nigeria has been the epicenter of Boko Haram attacks and killings since 2002. Recently, the group has extended its menace to the North-West and North-Central regions. Compounding the menace of Boko Haram in these regions, are the activities of the Islamic State’s West African Province (ISWAP), a breakaway terrorist group from Boko Haram and the administrative division of the Islamic States (IS). These armed groups’ renewed attacks on helpless Nigerians, facilities, and institutions have worsened the situation in Northern Nigeria, as they attack both public and private facilities, including the civilian populations and objects. The armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other security agencies engage these armed groups, as both parties fight for supremacy. Nigeria is a State Party to some international instruments regulating the conduct of war and human rights. How far have the country and the armed groups respected and observed the rules of these international instruments in their hostilities? This research paper, therefore, examines these situations and evaluates the activities of these armed groups and the responses by the government of Nigeria with a view to determining whether they have reached the threshold of armed conflict. Chapter one examines the evolution and ideology of Boko Haram and defines certain key terms, whilst chapter two deals with the status of Boko Haram under international humanitarian law. Chapter three discusses the effects of the activities of the groups. In chapter four, the paper examines the efficacy of the responses and interventions by the government, international community, and non-governmental bodies, whilst chapter five concludes with some far-reaching recommendations.

Published in	International Journal of Law and Society (Volume 5, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20
Page(s)	82-92
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Terrorism, Armed Conflict, Banditry, Insurgency, Boko Haram, Terrorist Attacks, Terrorists, Armed Group

References

[1]	Z. Jacob and P. Zacharias, “How Much Tafkir is Too Much Takfir? The Evolution of Boko Haram’s Factionalization”, Journal for Deradicalization, 11, 291 (2017).
[2]	R. P. Dkokalia, “Civil Wars and International Law”, 65 A. J. I. L. 219 (1971), 225.
[3]	Jason Rineheart, “Counter-terrorism and Counter-insurgency: Perspectives of Terrorism”, Vol. 5, No. 5 (2010).
[4]	UN High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, “A More Secure World: Our Shared Responsibility”, UN Doc. No. A/59/565, Dec. 2 2004.
[5]	Greenwood, “Scope of Application of Humanitarian Law”, in D. Fleck (ed.), The Handbook of Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflict, Oxford, 1995, 39.
[6]	Helen Duffy, “’The War on Terror’ and the Framework of International Law”, 2^nd ed., Cambridge Uni Press, 356 (2015).
[7]	Premium Times Online Newspaper of August 24, 2021 titled, “How gunmen attacked, killed, abducted officers – NDA”, available at https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/480926-how-gunmen-attacked-killed-abducted-officers-nda.html.
[8]	BBC News of July 19 2021 entitled, “Nigerian Fighter Jet Shot Down by Bandits – Military”, available at https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57893662.
[9]	Vanguard Newspaper of November 13 2021 titled, “ISWAP Terrorists Ambush Troops, Kill Nigerian Army General in Borno”, available at https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/11/breaking-iswap-terrorists-ambush-troops-kill-nigerian-army-general-in-borno.
[10]	J. M Henchaerts, “Binding Armed Opposition Groups through Humanitarian Treaty Law and Customary Law”, Bruges Collegium 27, 123 (2003).
[11]	ABC News titled, “Kidnapped Chibok School Girls Now Fighting for Boko Haram, Former Captive Says”, Sept 16, 2015, available at https://abcnews.go.com/International/kidnapped-chibok-school-girls-now-fighting-boko-haram/story?id=33776437.
[12]	Human Rights Watch Report titled, “Nigeria: Officials Abusing Displaced Women, Girls”, Oct 31, 2016, available at https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/10/31/nigeria-officials-abusing-displaced-women-girls.
[13]	CNN Report titled, “Boko Haram Kidnap Victim: Stigmatized for Carrying Captor’s Baby”, June 11, 2015, available at https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/11/africa/boko-haram-pregnant-victim/index.html.
[14]	The Guardian Newspaper titled, “Leah Sharibu Gives Birth to Second Baby in Boko Haram Captivity”, March 23, 2021, available at https://guardian.ng/news/leah-sharibu-gives-birth-to-second-baby-in-boko-haram-captivity.
[15]	Channels Television Report titled, “Banditry: Kaduna State Shuts Down Telecoms Services in Some LGAs, Bans Motorcycles”, Sept 29, 2021, available at https://www.channelstv.com/2021/09/29/banditry-kaduna-govt-shuts-down-telecoms-services-in-some-areas-bans-motorcycles-for-three-months.
[16]	Sahara Reporters Newspaper titled, “Nigeria not Expected to Deploy Super Tucano to South-East – US Warns Buhari Government”, Oct 32, 2021, available at http://saharareporters.com/2021/10/23/nigeria-not-expected-deploy-super-tucano-south-east-%E2%80%93-us-warns-buhari-government.

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Cajetan Osisioma. (2022). Terrorism and Armed Conflict in Nigeria: A Case Study of Boko Haram. International Journal of Law and Society, 5(1), 82-92. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20

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Cajetan Osisioma. Terrorism and Armed Conflict in Nigeria: A Case Study of Boko Haram. Int. J. Law Soc. 2022, 5(1), 82-92. doi: 10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20

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Cajetan Osisioma. Terrorism and Armed Conflict in Nigeria: A Case Study of Boko Haram. Int J Law Soc. 2022;5(1):82-92. doi: 10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20

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@article{10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20,
  author = {Cajetan Osisioma},
  title = {Terrorism and Armed Conflict in Nigeria: A Case Study of Boko Haram},
  journal = {International Journal of Law and Society},
  volume = {5},
  number = {1},
  pages = {82-92},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijls.20220501.20},
  abstract = {The North-East region of Nigeria has been the epicenter of Boko Haram attacks and killings since 2002. Recently, the group has extended its menace to the North-West and North-Central regions. Compounding the menace of Boko Haram in these regions, are the activities of the Islamic State’s West African Province (ISWAP), a breakaway terrorist group from Boko Haram and the administrative division of the Islamic States (IS). These armed groups’ renewed attacks on helpless Nigerians, facilities, and institutions have worsened the situation in Northern Nigeria, as they attack both public and private facilities, including the civilian populations and objects. The armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other security agencies engage these armed groups, as both parties fight for supremacy. Nigeria is a State Party to some international instruments regulating the conduct of war and human rights. How far have the country and the armed groups respected and observed the rules of these international instruments in their hostilities? This research paper, therefore, examines these situations and evaluates the activities of these armed groups and the responses by the government of Nigeria with a view to determining whether they have reached the threshold of armed conflict. Chapter one examines the evolution and ideology of Boko Haram and defines certain key terms, whilst chapter two deals with the status of Boko Haram under international humanitarian law. Chapter three discusses the effects of the activities of the groups. In chapter four, the paper examines the efficacy of the responses and interventions by the government, international community, and non-governmental bodies, whilst chapter five concludes with some far-reaching recommendations.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Terrorism and Armed Conflict in Nigeria: A Case Study of Boko Haram
AU  - Cajetan Osisioma
Y1  - 2022/02/16
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20
T2  - International Journal of Law and Society
JF  - International Journal of Law and Society
JO  - International Journal of Law and Society
SP  - 82
EP  - 92
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1908
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20
AB  - The North-East region of Nigeria has been the epicenter of Boko Haram attacks and killings since 2002. Recently, the group has extended its menace to the North-West and North-Central regions. Compounding the menace of Boko Haram in these regions, are the activities of the Islamic State’s West African Province (ISWAP), a breakaway terrorist group from Boko Haram and the administrative division of the Islamic States (IS). These armed groups’ renewed attacks on helpless Nigerians, facilities, and institutions have worsened the situation in Northern Nigeria, as they attack both public and private facilities, including the civilian populations and objects. The armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other security agencies engage these armed groups, as both parties fight for supremacy. Nigeria is a State Party to some international instruments regulating the conduct of war and human rights. How far have the country and the armed groups respected and observed the rules of these international instruments in their hostilities? This research paper, therefore, examines these situations and evaluates the activities of these armed groups and the responses by the government of Nigeria with a view to determining whether they have reached the threshold of armed conflict. Chapter one examines the evolution and ideology of Boko Haram and defines certain key terms, whilst chapter two deals with the status of Boko Haram under international humanitarian law. Chapter three discusses the effects of the activities of the groups. In chapter four, the paper examines the efficacy of the responses and interventions by the government, international community, and non-governmental bodies, whilst chapter five concludes with some far-reaching recommendations.
VL  - 5
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Cajetan Osisioma

Washington College of Law, American University, Washington, USA

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Cajetan Osisioma. (2022). Terrorism and Armed Conflict in Nigeria: A Case Study of Boko Haram. International Journal of Law and Society, 5(1), 82-92. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20

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ACS Style

Cajetan Osisioma. Terrorism and Armed Conflict in Nigeria: A Case Study of Boko Haram. Int. J. Law Soc. 2022, 5(1), 82-92. doi: 10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Cajetan Osisioma. Terrorism and Armed Conflict in Nigeria: A Case Study of Boko Haram. Int J Law Soc. 2022;5(1):82-92. doi: 10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20,
  author = {Cajetan Osisioma},
  title = {Terrorism and Armed Conflict in Nigeria: A Case Study of Boko Haram},
  journal = {International Journal of Law and Society},
  volume = {5},
  number = {1},
  pages = {82-92},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijls.20220501.20},
  abstract = {The North-East region of Nigeria has been the epicenter of Boko Haram attacks and killings since 2002. Recently, the group has extended its menace to the North-West and North-Central regions. Compounding the menace of Boko Haram in these regions, are the activities of the Islamic State’s West African Province (ISWAP), a breakaway terrorist group from Boko Haram and the administrative division of the Islamic States (IS). These armed groups’ renewed attacks on helpless Nigerians, facilities, and institutions have worsened the situation in Northern Nigeria, as they attack both public and private facilities, including the civilian populations and objects. The armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other security agencies engage these armed groups, as both parties fight for supremacy. Nigeria is a State Party to some international instruments regulating the conduct of war and human rights. How far have the country and the armed groups respected and observed the rules of these international instruments in their hostilities? This research paper, therefore, examines these situations and evaluates the activities of these armed groups and the responses by the government of Nigeria with a view to determining whether they have reached the threshold of armed conflict. Chapter one examines the evolution and ideology of Boko Haram and defines certain key terms, whilst chapter two deals with the status of Boko Haram under international humanitarian law. Chapter three discusses the effects of the activities of the groups. In chapter four, the paper examines the efficacy of the responses and interventions by the government, international community, and non-governmental bodies, whilst chapter five concludes with some far-reaching recommendations.},
 year = {2022}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Terrorism and Armed Conflict in Nigeria: A Case Study of Boko Haram
AU  - Cajetan Osisioma
Y1  - 2022/02/16
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20
T2  - International Journal of Law and Society
JF  - International Journal of Law and Society
JO  - International Journal of Law and Society
SP  - 82
EP  - 92
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1908
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20220501.20
AB  - The North-East region of Nigeria has been the epicenter of Boko Haram attacks and killings since 2002. Recently, the group has extended its menace to the North-West and North-Central regions. Compounding the menace of Boko Haram in these regions, are the activities of the Islamic State’s West African Province (ISWAP), a breakaway terrorist group from Boko Haram and the administrative division of the Islamic States (IS). These armed groups’ renewed attacks on helpless Nigerians, facilities, and institutions have worsened the situation in Northern Nigeria, as they attack both public and private facilities, including the civilian populations and objects. The armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other security agencies engage these armed groups, as both parties fight for supremacy. Nigeria is a State Party to some international instruments regulating the conduct of war and human rights. How far have the country and the armed groups respected and observed the rules of these international instruments in their hostilities? This research paper, therefore, examines these situations and evaluates the activities of these armed groups and the responses by the government of Nigeria with a view to determining whether they have reached the threshold of armed conflict. Chapter one examines the evolution and ideology of Boko Haram and defines certain key terms, whilst chapter two deals with the status of Boko Haram under international humanitarian law. Chapter three discusses the effects of the activities of the groups. In chapter four, the paper examines the efficacy of the responses and interventions by the government, international community, and non-governmental bodies, whilst chapter five concludes with some far-reaching recommendations.
VL  - 5
IS  - 1
ER  -

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