State Fragility and the Reign of Terror in Nigeria: a Case Study of Boko Haram Terrorism
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State Fragility and the Reign of Terror in Nigeria: A Case Study of Boko Haram Terrorism Being a Research Paper submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Arts in Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa By Benjamin Maiangwa Prof Ufo Okeke Uzodike (Supervisor) November 2012 DECLARATION I, Benjamin Maiangwa, hereby declare that this dissertation is my own original work and that all sources have been accurately reported and acknowledged, and that this document has not previously in its entirety or in part been submitted at any university in order to obtain academic qualification. ----------------------------------- ------------------------------- Benjamin Maiangwa Date i DECLARATION BY SUPERVISOR I hereby declare that I acted as supervisor for this MA student: Student’s Full Name: Benjamin Maiangwa Student Number: 211529158 Title of Thesis: State Fragility and the Reign of Terror in Nigeria: A Case Study of Boko Haram Terrorism Regular consultation took place between the student and I throughout the study. I advised the student to the best of my ability and approved the final document for submission to the School of Social Sciences’ Higher Degrees Office for examination by the University appointed Examiners. Supervisor ___________________________ _______________________ Professor Ufo Okeke Uzodike Date ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank all those who contributed to the success and completion of this study. F irst, I am grateful to God almighty for his unconditional love. The sterling and constructive suggestions offered by Professor Ufo Okeke Uzodike, and his willingness to share his time so generously, made the planning, development and completion of the study possible. Academic advice given by Mr Hakeem Onapajo and the impressive editing work done by Mr Emmanuel Zakka and Ai Chaobang, helped in shaping the study. I am particularly grateful to my incredible friends Regis Wilson, C hristian Ani, Christian Odionye, Onuh Chenemi, O vett Osemiri, Daniel Agbiboa, Victor Nduka, Sima Rwebangira, Sade Ojo, Nstiki Simelane, Nstiki Khumalo, Jean-Francois Vuillaume, Kudzie Goto, Arinze Ibeh, Anthony Oyowe, Emmanuel Zakka, Ahmed Abubakari and Williams Biya, for their warmly support and inspiration. Additional thanks to all my friends, colleagues, and the technical and support staff at the University of K waZulu-Natal and S t Joseph’s Theological Institute, South Africa. Finally, my grateful thanks are also extended to all the members of my family (Peter, Martha, Jonathan, Ezekiel, Paul, and S tephen Maiangwa) for their usual cooperation and encouragement throughout my years of study. iii DEDICATION In memory of all the victims of Boko Haram terrorism, and to all other individuals who, each in their own way, have worked tirelessly to restore peace in Nigeria iv TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION .............................................................................................................................i DECLARATION BY SUPERVISOR .............................................................................................. ii DEDICATION .............................................................................................................................. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................v LIST OF TABLES....................................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... ix 1.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………….1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ...........................................................................................................5 1.3 Objectives of the Study: Key Questions to be asked .....................................................................6 1.4 Research Methodology ..............................................................................................................7 1.5 The Significance and Limitation of the Study ..............................................................................8 Conceptualization and Literature Review ........................................................................................... 10 2.1 The Concept of the State .......................................................................................................... 14 2.2 The Nigerian State................................................................................................................... 18 2.3 Conceptualizing Terrorism....................................................................................................... 17 2.4 Literature Review .................................................................................................................... 18 2.4.1 The State Failure Argument..............................................................................................18 2.4.2 The Tyranny of African Leaders.......................................................................................19 2.4.3 Anti-Colonialists Movement.............................................................................................19 2.4.4 Anti-Globalization Movements.........................................................................................20 2.4.5 Islamic Extremism.............................................................................................................21 2.4.6 State Fragility in Nigeria...................................................................................................22 Chapter Three................................................................................................................................... 26 Theoretical Frameworks of Analysis .................................................................................................. 26 3.1 The State Failure Theory.......................................................................................................... 26 3.2 The frustration and aggression Thesis ....................................................................................... 31 Chapter Four .................................................................................................................................... 36 The Foundations of Violent Conflicts in Nigeria ................................................................................. 36 4.1 The Colonial Legacy ............................................................................................................... 36 v 4.2 Islamic Expansion and Revivalism in Nigeria............................................................................ 39 4.3 The Sharia as an Antidote to State Failure in Nigeria?................................................................ 45 Chapter Five..................................................................................................................................... 50 Factors Conducive to the Rise of Boko Haram Terrorism .................................................................... 50 5.1 Widespread Underdevelopment in Northern Nigeria .................................................................. 51 5.2 History of Repressed Military Regime and Human Rights Abuses ..…………………………… 54 5.3 Security Deficiency in Nigeria ................................................................................................. 57 5.4 Endemic Corruption in Nigeria................................................................................................. 60 5.5 Bad Governance in Nigeria ...................................................................................................... 62 5.6 Continued Economic Challenges .............................................................................................. 65 5.7 Derelict Institutions and Infrastructures in Nigeria ..................................................................... 66 5.8 The North-South Chasm in Nigeria........................................................................................... 69 5.9 The Crisis of Nation-Building in Nigeria................................................................................... 72 5.10 Transnational Crime and The Porosity of Nigeria’s Borders ..................................................... 76 Chapter Six ...................................................................................................................................... 80 The Rise of Boko Haram in Nigeria ................................................................................................... 80 6.1 The Origins and Rise of Boko Haram ....................................................................................... 80 6.2 The Philosophy, Intent, and Objectives of Boko Haram ............................................................. 83 6.3 The Membership of Boko Haram ............................................................................................. 86 6.4 The Leadership of Boko Haram................................................................................................ 89 6.5 The Sponsors of Boko Haram................................................................................................... 90 6.6 The Adversaries of Boko Haram .............................................................................................. 91 6.7 Boko