Socio-Economic Context of Boko Haram Terrorism in Nigeria
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SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT OF BOKO HARAM TERRORISM IN NIGERIA by SOGO ANGEL OLOFINBIYI Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology & Forensic Studies in the School of Applied Human Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban, South Africa Supervisor: Professor Jean Steyn 2018 DECLARATION I declare that the work contained in this thesis has not been previously submitted for a degree or diploma at any other higher institution. To the best of my knowledge and belief, the thesis contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference is made. Signed: ------------------------------------------------------ Date: ------------------------------------------------------ ii DEDICATION The thesis is dedicated to God Almighty in sweet memory of Pa James Kolawole Olofinbiyi (1935-2015) iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT In the name of God, most Gracious! most Marvelous! I wish to express my sincere appreciation to those who have contributed to this thesis and supported me in one way or another during this amazing journey. First and foremost, I am immeasurably grateful to my highly respected supervisor and the Dean of the School of Applied Human Sciences, Professor Jéan Steyn, for his guidance and all the useful discussions and brainstorming sessions, especially during the difficult conceptual development stage of this project. His deep insights helped me at various stages of my research. I also remain indebted to him for his confidence in me and for understanding and supporting me during the tough times when I was really down and depressed by doctoral academic challenges and personal family concerns. My sincere gratitude is reserved for his invaluable insights and suggestions. I really appreciate his willingness to meet me at short notice every time and for going go through several drafts of my thesis. He is indeed an inspiration! I remain astonished that, despite his busy schedule, he was able to go through the final draft of my thesis and meet me within a month with comments and suggestions on almost every page. My effusive thanks also go to the academic leader, Professor Shanta B. Singh, whose incisive mind, motherly concerns, divine leadership and desire to help gave this project new direction to achieve the desired result. I shall forever remain indebted to her for her kindness and support throughout the challenging journey. My very special word of thanks goes to the University of KwaZulu-Natal for giving me the financial support to carry out my doctoral research on a scholarship that spanned three years. In fact, it would have been impossible for me to even commence this study without their financial support. I am also honoured that I was appointed to a PhD contract-teaching position in the Department of Criminology and Forensic Studies during the first year of my study, which was subsequently extended to the final year of the programme. I would also like to convey my gratitude to the management of Abuja Municipal Area Council for granting me permission to conduct this research at various institutions under its jurisdiction. I wish to thank all the participants, both in government and civil society. I appreciate that fact that you iv were prepared to share your experiences with me and I am very grateful for the many insights that I gained from your participation. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my external examiners for their very helpful comments and insightful suggestions which brought the project to the peak of perfection. My heartfelt thanks go to my mentor, Mr Shaka Yesufu, and his loving family for taking me under their wing from the day of my arrival in South Africa. Mr Yesufu, I shall never forget your support and the fact that you provided me with numerous opportunities to learn and develop intellectually and to grow as a scholar in my chosen field. The impact you made on my success story is immeasurable. PhD students often talk about loneliness and boredom during the course of their studies, but this is something I never experienced at UKZN. My heartfelt gratitude therefore goes to the really supportive and active South African community in Durban and Pietermaritzburg and all my friends who made the UKZN experience something special. In particular, I wish to thank Soomaya Khan, Annesah Khan, Siyanda Dlamini, Ayanda Ntuli, Priya Padayachee, Amanda Benecke, Dr Ekundayo Mejabi, Tobi Alabi, Dr Kutu Adebayo, Lekan Adisa, Jibola Adigun, Tolu Ojolo, and Philip Smith. A special word of thanks also goes to Mrs Carla Pettit and Mrs Sharon Hattingh for the technical arrangement of the final draft of this thesis. It is also essential to express my gratitude to Mrs Linda Coertze for language editing and proof-reading of the final draft. I thank you all for your respective inputs. I am deeply indebted to my academic forerunner, friend and brother, Dr Babatunde Emmanuel Durowaiye, not only for his useful suggestions, debriefings and proof-readings, but also for co- coordinating the entire data collection process and facilitating easy access to the participants that were engaged to participate in the study. You were the live wire of this research. I shall forever remain grateful to you! I am especially appreciative of the love, support and assistance from my mum, Chief Mrs Elizabeth Oja Olofinbiyi, and my loving brother, Dr Babatunde Ajayi Olofinbiyi, whose financial support and encouragement helped me bring this study to fruition. Dr Olofinbiyi, you were the driver of this great journey and a true brother. v My deepest gratitude also goes to two very special people who are no longer with us. First I wish to acknowledge my late Dad, Pa James Kolawole Olofinbiyi, whose quiet words of encouragement and belief in my personal ability and potential remain embedded in my heart. He was indeed the master planner of this great journey as he inspired me to get over the final hurdle of life before he left this sinful world. May his humble soul rest in perfect peace. My special gratitude also goes to my loving brother and friend, Dr James Olubunmi Adeniyi, whose belief in me as a born professor was inspirational. It is unfortunate that he will not be there to witness my graduation. May his gentle soul rest in everlasting peace. I also wish to thank my siblings and relatives, most especially Olarenwaju Austin Olofinbiyi, Mr. Adewale Ganiyu Babayemi, Chief and Mrs Lekan Anlugbua, Professor Femi Adediran, Dr and Mrs Ayeni, Mrs Adetola Stella, Segun Olofinbiyi, Tunmise Olofinbiyi, Taiwo Oladele Oyerinde, Femi Bankole, and Uncle Remi Ogundele. I thank you very much for being there for me. All the other people who have contributed to the success of this study in one way or the other, thank you. A particular word of thanks is extended to my mother-in-law whose motherly affection and support during the hard times laid a viable foundation for the success story I share today. You are indeed a true mother! I also wish to acknowledge those who helped in the computations and provision of relevant academic information that nourished the research. Prominent among these special people are Dr Witness Maluleke, Mike Eley, Prof. N. Gopal, Kercival Claudette, Shantha Maharaj, Dr Sazelo Mkhize, as well as all members of this noble discipline. I say a very big thank you to all. Above all, I would like to thank my wife and the queen of my heart, Ayaba Olunike Blessing Olofinbiyi. Thank you for always taking an interest in my work, for enthusiastically engaging me in critical debates that helped propel my research, and for your high-impact financial, emotional and moral support and encouragement throughout this journey. You helped me achieve my dream and I shall forever love you. To my beloved son and my ‘king’, Prince Emmanuel Akolawole Olofinbiyi, thank you for permitting me to be absent from home and to leave the country when you were supposed to feel the presence of a father as a little baby. I engaged in this project in an effort to ensure that you live a better life than I do. Thank you very much! vi TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION i i DEDICATION i ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT i v TABLE OF CONTENTS vii LIST OF TABLES x i LIST OF FIGURES xi i ABREVIATIONS x i ii ABSTRACT xvi CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background to the Study 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem 6 1.3 Objectives of the Study 10 1.4 Research Questions 11 1.5 Aim and Scope of the Study 11 1.6 Significance of the Study 12 1.7 Analytical Explanation of Key Concepts 14 1.7.1 Socio-economic context 14 1.7.2 Boko Haram 15 1.7.3 Terrorism 16 1.7.4 Class 20 1.7.5 Sect 21 1.7.6 Conflict 22 1.7.7 Insurgency 22 1.8 Dissertation Overview 24 vii CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 26 2.1 Introduction 26 2.1.1 Socio-historical springboard of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria 27 2.1.2 Boko Haram’s ideology and the human condition in northeast 32 Nigeria 2.1.3 The rationale for Boko Haram’s revolt 36 2.1.4 Youth membership of Boko Haram terrorism 45 2.1.5 Constitutional issues and Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria 50 2.1.6 Overview of Boko Haram activities in Nigeria 51 2.1.7 Attempted measures to submerge Boko Haram terrorism in 77 Nigeria 2.1.8 Conclusion 82 CHAPTER THREE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 84 3.1 Introduction 84 3.1.1 Understanding Boko Haram terrorism: a liability shift perspective 85 3.1.2 Understanding Boko Haram terrorism: a poverty-breeds-conflict 86 hypothesis 3.1.3 Understanding Boko Haram terrorism under the lens of Freudian 88 political psychology 3.1.4 Understanding Boko Haram terrorism from