Political Economy of Counter-Terrorism in Nigeria: A Study of Boko-Haram Insurgency; 2021-2023

Abstract

This study investigated the political economy of counterterrorism in Nigeria from 2011 to 2023, focusing on the emergence of Boko Haram and its political and economic implications. The study was a product of quantitative and qualitative research; it adopted a structured questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and Focus Group Discussion as instruments for collecting primary data, while secondary data was collected from textbooks, journal articles, newspapers, periodicals, theses, and internet materials. Descriptive survey design was adopted, and purposive sampling technique was utilized to derive a population of 7,696, the basis upon which a sample size of 367 was obtained through the Krejcie and Morgan table. The data collected were analyzed using frequency distribution, percentage, and mean scores. The qualitative data was transcribed using the Otter AI application and the transcribed information was analyzed using thematic and content analysis techniques. The study reveals that Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria is a result of global political games, driven by superpower actors for national interests rather than socio-political and economic issues. Counterinsurgency operations have mixed impacts on security, political economy, and people's economic activities, leading to increased poverty, destruction of Nigeria's international image, loss of foreign investor confidence, and worsening security in the West African subregion. The study found Nigeria's counter-terrorism strategies inadequate due to international political interference, Boko Haram terrorist group operations, and domestic challenges, indicating a need for improved best practices. The study suggests the international community should balance supporting Nigerian counterterrorism efforts with human rights concerns, redefining discrepancies in international humanitarian laws and human rights laws due to questionable neutrality principles.