Analysis of Cause and Effect of Boko Haram Insurgency in North-East Nigeria

Abstract

This work analyzed the causes of Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria. It examined the effects of the insurgency in the same region of the country. The research was carried out with the use of library based documentation analysis, and with the use of secondary sources of data collection. Academic write-ups in journals, magazines, newspapers, periodicals, reading manuals as well as internet based information provided the data utilized in this research. The research found out that Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria was incubated and hatched by both remote and immediate causes. Remote causes of the insurgency as this research discovered include illiteracy, poverty and unemployment among the youth in the region. The research also found out that alleged extra judicial killings of some of the sect members and summary execution of its leader during its first combatant confrontation with the Nigerian government forces in Markas and other areas in Maiduguri the Borno state capital in July 2009, triggered a full blown insurgency in the North-East region of Nigeria. The rise in number the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), as well as grave waste of lives and properties were some of the effects of the insurgency in this region of Nigeria. This research made a number of recommendations among which the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the establishment of an independent commission to rebuild the North-East region especially Borno and Yobe States which were the seriously affected states in the region.