Impact of Military Strategies in the Fight against Boko Haram Insurgency in North-Eastern Nigeria
2009 - 2019
Keywords:
Impact, Military, Strategies, Fight, Boko Haram, Insurgency, North-Eastern, NigeriaAbstract
The terrorist activities within the neighborhood of the Lake Chad region, beginning from Nigeria to Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic have continually left Nigeria and her neighbors in great fear. Many have abandoned their businesses, farms and ancestral homes, seeking refuge in either across the borders or migrating elsewhere within the home state. This study examines military strategies and their impact on the fight against Boko Haram insurgency in the northeastern Nigeria. Structural functionalism theory was adopted as theoretical framework. Both primary and secondary data were used for the research. The study employed the use of structured questionnaire and personal interview to obtain data from the sampled respondents. The secondary data is sourced largely from books, journals, newspapers, internet sources and other published and unpublished materials. It was revealed that ground forces have been a major aspect of the military strategies, particularly in south-central Borno, where Operation Deep Punch I and II have seen a number of incursions into the Sambisa Forest area. In addition, the use of air power through a series of operations called Ruwan Wuta (Rain of Fire) has also been an important aspect. The study found that the military strategies that were put in place to help in tackling Boko Haram Insurgency in North-Eastern Nigeria have not been successful in protecting potential target communities from attacks; not been able to evade collateral damage during combat operations against the sect and antithetical to civilians through unlawful detention, harassment, property destruction, sexual violence, uncontrolled targeting of young men, torture, and being surfeit in the use of force resulting in injury and death. The study recommended that counterinsurgency should not be seen as a blunt military effort that focuses solely on capturing and killing high value targets. An important part of counterinsurgency in Nigeria demands a greater reliance on non-military force. The exercise of military power should be used to create the space for political progress. While tackling armed insurgents, increasing efforts should also be channeled to economic, social and infrastructural development in the affected areas, in the bid to win the hearts and minds of the local people.