Anacletus Ogbunkwu PhD
Department of Philosophy,
Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki
franacletus@gmail.com


Abstract


The aim of this paper is to draw a logical inverse proportionality in the relationship
between Boko-Haram insurgency and economic development in Nigeria. Hence this
paper claims that the more the tales of Boko-Haram insurgency is on the increase, our
economic status must logically remain tepid. This paper applies the philosophical
methods of hermeneutics and Turabian documentation in the attempt to make a sharp
interpretation of facts regarding the inverse relationship between Boko-Haram insurgency
and the economic status of Nigeria. The paper studies Boko-Haram insurgency in Nigeria
and by critical analysis, states the degree of harm caused to the economic status of
Nigeria. Our findings reveal that Boko-Haram insurgency has claimed so many lives and
destroyed properties worth billions of naira in Nigeria leading to economic downturn,
mutual mistrust, psychological trauma, internal displacement, widened enthnocentricism,
dehumanization, criminality such as rape, abduction, robbery, e.t.c. The studies reveal the
laisser-faire attitude of the government in matters of Boko-Haram insurgency because
some political stakeholders use these insurgents as political tools to widen their political
powers and influence hence making Boko-Haram uncontrollable. The implication of this
paper is a distress call on all and sundry especially the government to sit up for necessary
actions minding the impact of Boko-Haram in Nigerian economy. The actions include;
stopping the rampage of Boko-Haram, punishing the culprits legally minding justice and
equity, better equipment of the internally displaced persons’ camps, adequate feeding,
empowerment schemes, medical and psychological assistance (trauma centers), e.t.c.
Similarly, Non-Governmental Organizations and Religious Bodies are called upon to join
the crusade in order to redeem the devastation of Boko-Haram in Nigeria. The logic is
that when these conditions are well employed and Boko-Haram insurgency is eschewed,
Nigeria would have become so fertile enough to boost economic development.
Key Words: Boko-Haram, Insurgency, Nigeria, Economy, development, e.t.c.
35
Understanding Boko-Haram Insurgency in Nigeria.
Simply put, insurgency can be understood as an attack on an unprotected member(s) of
the public resulting into wounds or injuries, loss of lives and properties, internal
displacement of persons or groups of persons from their living environment, e.t.c. Also,
insurgency is the state of insurrection, rebellion or sedition to a constituted authority or
government1
. In the same vein, insurgency refers to violence organized by individual or
group to fight or oppose the implementation of law or government.2
Therefore,
insurgency is characterized by two main features of crime and inhuman treatment or
violation of human rights.3
It is therefore obvious that insurgency imposes a great threat
to the general security of a nation and frustrates economic developmental strides.
Today in Nigeria, no doubt, the most unbearable and notorious insurgency group is the
Boko-Haram sect or the Jama’atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda’Awati WalJihad. Boko-Haram is
a terrorist group in Nigeria that opposes government, western education and civilization4
.
This is an extremist and Islamic fanatical group which began like a small Sunni Islamic
sect supporting a firm understanding and execution of Islamic law for Nigerians. Its
derivation as Boko-Haram in Hausa language means, “western language is sinful”5
. This
sect not only rejects western culture but government, modern sciences and civilization.
Boko-Haram began their activities 2002 though with little influence until 2009.
Boko-Haram can be said to have officially been founded by Mallam Mohammed Yusuf
in 2002 in Maiduguri with the aim of establishing Sharia government in Borno and
neighboring states6
. It is on record that this sect was already in existence as at 1995 as
Shabaab Muslim Youth Organization and Mallam Lawal was their leader. At the
takeover of leadership by Mallam Mohammed Yusuf, Boko-Haram gained political
influence and popularity. It was not a violent group until the death of Yusuf, his father inlaw and Ustaz Buji Foi (major financial donor), and other members in police custody. In
the same vein, the death of its initial leadership and Abubakar Shekau a Kanuri native
who once boasted saying; “I enjoy killing any one that Allah commands me to kill-the
36
way I enjoy killing chickens and rams”7
, increased the terrorism of the sect especially in
the Northern and gradually to the Southern and Western Nigeria. Yusuf was shot dead
while trying to escape from police custody8
. Hence they turned to the use of lethal
weapons such as: rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), anti-tank missiles, Improvised
Explosive Devices (IEDs), missiles, A-K 47 rifles, as well as machetes and daggers, and
other very dangerous weapons9
.
According to Gilbert, in 2010, Boko-Haram became a full-blown terrorist group with
attacks on police stations and military barracks, jailbreaks to free members, release of
detained colleagues, restoration of its destroyed mosque and compensation for members
killed by troops10. All these were in their attempt to avenge the supposed murder of their
comrades11 and the brutal attack on them which led to the death of over 800 members in

  1. Unfortunately, Gilbert explained further that Boko-Haram in the early stage was a
    mobilization of women and children, school dropouts and unemployed university and
    polytechnic graduates and most of whom were encouraged to tear their certificates12. This
    attempt led to severe mental decolonization of members, strict interpretation and
    adherence to the Quran. They claimed that unemployment, western education and
    poverty/underdevelopment are results of bad government.
    Boko-Haram can be said to be the most injurious insurgent group in Nigeria. They have
    killed thousands of people especially in the North Eastern states of Nigeria13 and these
    days they are spreading down other parts of Nigeria like wide fire under different guise
    such as Fulani Herdsmen, e.t.c. They target central areas with greater concentration of
    persons to unleash mayhem to such places as Churches14, Mosque, Motor Parks, Schools,
    Police Stations15, Big offices, Very Important Persons in the society especially those in
    authority, e.t.c16
    . Similarly, Boko-Haram insurgency has led to the destruction of
    properties worth billions of naira17
    .
    37
    Boko-Haram Insurgency and Economic Development in Nigeria.
    No doubt, security of state is the priority of government. It is the greatest concern of
    every nation to mind the security of her integrity, lives and properties. Hence the state of
    security has a logical effect on the provision of food, health, environmental needs,
    economy, politics, social or physiological life of the state, e.t.c. As earlier stated, the aim
    of this paper is to draw a logical inverse proportionality in the relationship between
    Boko-Haram insurgency and economic development in Nigeria. This logic shows that the
    more the tales of Boko-Haram insurgency is on the increase, Nigerian economic status
    must logically remain tepid. Therefore, a sincere attempt to quell Boko-Haram is a
    conscious effort to boost Nigerian economy and meaningful existence.
    Unfortunately, the findings of this research reveal that Boko-Haram insurgency has
    claimed so many lives and destroyed properties worth billions of naira in Nigeria leading
    to economic downturn, psychological trauma, internal displacement, widened
    enthnocentricism, dehumanization, criminality such as rape, abduction, robbery, torture,
    e.t.c. Little wonder Adamu, bemoaned the security state of Nigeria when he alarmed that
    Nigeria has witnessed unimaginable loss of lives and properties that has attracted the
    attention of the international community such that besides the Nigerian civil war of 1967-
    1970, Nigeria has never had it so bloody than the time of Boko-Haram minding the
    number of Nigerians killed18
    .
    It is appalling that the socio-economic and political resources that ought to be pulled
    together for the development of the entire country are being wasted on various efforts
    towards controlling insurgency in Nigeria. It is no news that that much of Nigerian
    budget goes into security, control of insurgency and care of the internally displaced. It is
    saddening enough that in 2012, the budget of N921.91 billion was set to combat terrorism
    in Nigeria whereas such amount would have been of immense support to developmental
    programmes. Also, Boko-Haram insurgency has crippled individual business of some
    well known businessmen leading to closure or abandonment of peoples’ business
    38
    activities for safety and forced migration to other parts of Nigeria considered safer. The
    report of 2011 World Investment Report of the United Nations Conference on Trade
    Development stated that Nigeria lost about N1.3 trillion because of Boko Haram
    insurgency especially in Kano and Kaduna regions19
    .
    Hence forced migration of Nigerians from the North to other parts led to population
    overflow in cities like Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Owerri Aba, e.t.c. Such
    migration has its attending challenges such as increase in house rent, scarcity of food and
    increase in prices of goods and services. Logically this situation led to mutual mistrust
    and low patronage to goods20 and services from the Northern Nigeria such as agricultural
    produce and domestic security for which they have been employed in the southern region
    of Nigerian. No doubt the activities of Boko-Haram insurgents have constituted a major
    reason for economic underdevelopment in Nigeria21
    .
    The activities of insurgents have led to the closure or significant reduction in the business
    activities of very many companies such as industries, Hotels, banks, e.t.c. One of the
    most disheartening is the Kano Kanti-Kwari textile Market which is the oldest and
    biggest textile markets in the Sub-Sahara Africa22. Also, disheartening is to note that
    Kano alone has a record of about 126 industries that are already closed down following
    insurgency and instability. This situation has biased the mind of the whole world that
    Nigeria is unsafe for business activities or habitation23
    .
    Regrettably, the activities of Boko-Haram did not only encourage internal migration in
    Nigeria but discouraged foreign investors. Boko Haram insurgency has really
    discouraged Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Nigeria. The situation is so bad that other
    countries feel so unsafe investing in Nigeria minding the threat of Boko-Haram and the
    corresponding security threat to their investment. Others relocated their business
    activities to other parts of Nigeria such as the Lebanese and Indian expatriates who
    established businesses in Kano very many decades ago have relocated to Abuja, Lagos
    and the south and other left the country completely24
    .
    39
    Conclusion
    This paper has chronologically presented a listicle of the treacherous and perilous impact
    of Boko-Haram insurgency in Nigeria economy. This paper understands insurgency as
    attack on an unprotected member of the public resulting into wounds or injuries, loss of
    lives and properties, internal displacement of persons or groups of persons from their
    living environment, e.t.c. Insurgency has been identified as the state of insurrection,
    rebellion or sedition to a constituted authority or government25. Thus this paper
    understands Boko-Haram as the injurious insurgent group in Nigeria. Boko-Haram group
    began in the Northern Nigerian states such as Borno, Adamawa, Gomber, Kano, Yobe
    and Abuja. Unfortunately, they are gradually spreading beyond these states of their
    origin. They target places where people gather to unleash mayhem such places as
    Churches, Mosque, Motor Parks, Schools, Police Stations, Big offices, Very Important
    Persons in the society especially those in authority, e.t.c.
    Unquestionably, this paper has doggedly, established that Boko-Haram insurgency
    constitutes a threat to live and properties, hinders business activities, server ethnic
    relationships in Nigeria, discourages local and foreign investments, makes socioeconomic development tepid and nonviable. Boko-Haram insurgency has caused a lot of
    tension in the country since 2009 especially in most states of Northern Nigeria having the
    worst hit in Adamawa, Bauchi, Bornu, FCT (Abuja), Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and Yobe26
    and this situation has really tortured Nigeria economy27. It is very obvious that BokoHaram insurgency is negatively co-relational to economic development. It uproots every
    developmental requirement and stifles every tendency of economic growth. It is obvious
    that Nigerian economy has experienced a great nosedive since the inception of BokoHaram insurgency in Nigeria.
    Therefore, the logic of book-Haram insurgency and economy is that of inverse
    relationship. Hence for any meaningful and sustainable economic development in
    Nigeria, the activities of Boko-Haram insurgents must be quelled least we labour in vain.
    It is most timely for the government to undertake the elimination of these threats as their
    40
    number one goal since the nation cannot achieve any significant economic development
    amidst insurgency. Most importantly, the government should be much more sincere in the
    fight against Boko-Haram insurgency in Nigeria minding that our finding shows that
    some political leaders are highly insincere in the fight against Boko-Haram.
    Unfortunately, some politicians trade the security of lives and properties of Nigerians for
    their selfish political interests. Hence the Government must be proactive, just and sincere
    in dealing with insurgency matters in Nigeria. It is a clarion call on the federal
    government to formulate and effectively implement policies and programmes capable of
    discouraging insurgency in Nigeria by fighting factors such as; poverty, unemployment,
    environmental degradation, poor infrastructure, uneven development of natural resources,
    political marginalization, religious and cultural bigotry, e.t.c.
    In the same vein, the Government is admonished to address matters of human
    empowerment not just by giving micro-credit loans but by encouraging education
    especially courses on Peace Studies, interreligious dialogue, intercultural studies and
    Security Management are very essential even in colleges and tertiary institutions. They
    should ensure adequate training and proper equipment of security agencies that fight the
    insurgents and legally prosecute political office holders who sponsor this hazardous
    group in Nigeria. This will go a long way towards character formation of the youth and
    encouraging them to shun vices like insurgency. Similarly, Non-Governmental
    Organizations and Religious Bodies are called upon to redeem the devastation of BokoHaram by providing support to the displaced, medical care, psychological rehabilitation,
    and orientation by humanitarian works and education in values.
    It is when these proactive measures are taken and well implemented with sincerity of
    purpose that the land becomes highly fertile enough for economic bounce back in
    Nigeria, security of lives and properties assured. No doubt that Nigerian economy will be
    on the rise when these factors are sincerely considered.
    41
    End Notes
    42
    1
    Florian Weigand, “Afghanistan’s Taliban- Legitimate Jihadists or Coercive Extremists” In
    Journal of Intervention and State building, 11:3: 359-381. doi:10.1080/17502977.2017.1353755.
    accessed on 21/01/2019.
    2
    S. Inchi, “Insurgency” in The Nigerian Law Dictionary, 1
    st ed., (Zaria: Tamaza Publishing
    Co. ltd, 19966), 67.
    3
    A. I. Badiora, “Civil Unrest, Insurgences and the Challenges of Community Displacement
    in Sub-Sahara Africa: A Silhouette of selected states in Nigeria” in International Journal of
    criminal Justices Sciences, 2017, 12(2), 302-318. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1034678 accessed
    on 23/01/2019.
    4
    A. Walker, “What is Boko-Haram”? in Journal of United Institute of Peace, 2012, 16,
    retrieved from http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/SR308.pdf , accessed on 25/01/2019.
    5
    P. Musa, (2011), “Boko-Haram History in Nigeria”, Journal of Arts and Social Science,
    4(2) 18-21,
    6
    L. D. Gilbert, “Prolongation of Boko-Haram Insurgency in Nigeria: The International
    Dimensions” in Journal of Research on Humanities and Social Science, 2014, 4(11) 150-156.
    7
    BBC online, June 22, 2012,
    8
    CNN news, May 21, 2019 https://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/09/world/boko-haram-fastfacts/index.html
    9
    Gilbert, L. D., “Prolongation of Boko-Haram Insurgency in Nigeria: The International
    Dimensions” in Journal of Research on Humanities and Social Science, 2014, 4(11) 152.
    10 Ibid.,
    11 Daily trust, 3 March, 2014.
    12 Gilbert, L. D., “Prolongation of Boko-Haram Insurgency in Nigeria: The International
    Dimensions” 151.
    13 N. O. Anyadike, “Boko Haram and National Security Challenges in Nigeria; Causes and
    Solutions”. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 2013, 4 (5) 12-23.
    14 Lindy Lowry, “Urgent Prayer: 25 Christians in Nigeria Killed by Boko Haram in Doorto-Door Attacks” , https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/stories/urgent-prayer-25-
    christians-in-nigeria-killed-by-boko-haram-in-door-to-door-attacks/ accessed on 12/06/19
    15 Walker, A., “What is Boko Haram” in US Institute of Peace Journal (VSIP) 2012, p.3.
    16 O. I. Eme & A. Onyishi, “The Challenges of Insecurity in Nigeria: A Thematic
    Exposition”. Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business, 2011, 3(8), 172-184.
    17 CNN news, May 21, 2019 https://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/09/world/boko-haram-fastfacts/index.html.
    18 A. Adamu, “True Federalism in the 21st Century Nigeria”. A Lecture Delivered at
    University of Jos Alumni Association, Lagos, 24th March, 2005.
    19 O. I. Aro, “Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria: Its implication and way forward toward
    avoidance of future insurgency”. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications,
    2013, 3 (11), 2.
    20 Aro, O. I. “Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria: Its implication and way forward toward
    avoidance of future insurgency”. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications,
    2013, 3 (11) p.2.
    21 CLEEN Foundation. “Summary of Findings of 2012 National Crime and Safety Survey”,
    Retrieved From: E:/summary-of-findings-of-2012-national.html. accessed on 14/05/19
    22 Sunday Trust, 2012.
    23 O. O. Ewetan, “Insecurity and Socio-Economic Development: Perspectives on the
    Nigerian Experience”. A lecture Delivered St. Timothy Anglican Church, Sango-Ota, Ogun State,
    2013.
    24 F. Stan, The Security-Development Nexus: Conflict, Peace and Development in
    the 21st Century. (New York: IPA Report, 2012), 23
    25Florian Weigand, “Afghanistan’s Taliban- Legitimate Jihadists or Coercive Extremists” In
    Journal of Intervention and State building, 11:3: 359-381. doi:10.1080/17502977.2017.1353755.
    accessed on 21/01/2019.
    26 M. Nwakaudu, Boko Haram and National Development. (Lagos: Joja, 2012), 5.
    27 L. D. Gilbert, “Prolongation of Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria: The International
    Dimensions” in Journal of Research on Humanities and Social Science, 2014, 4(11), 155-156.

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