INSURGENCY, TERRORISM AND INSECURITY IN NIGERIA BY NGWU LEONARD UGWU (PH.D) DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu Email:
[email protected] Phone No: 08039632720 And Aniche Alex N. (Ph.D) DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY Godfrey Okoye University Enugu
[email protected] Phone No: 08038355967 Email: Abstract The insurgents who use terrorist tactics such as bombings, shootings, ambush, suicide-bombings, grenades, rockets and poisonous weapons against the civilian population as well as the security agents is undoubtedly one of the greatest security challenges currently bedeviling Nigeria. This unimaginable war crimes against humanity perpetrated by the insurgents vis-à-vis terrorist group include: murder, torture, rape, assassination, forced-marriage abduction, hostage-taking, displacement, arson, poisoning and many more. The focus of this paper is to critically appraise the origin, activities and implications of the prevailing insurgency/terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria. The paper utilized primary and secondary sources of data from the existing literature, including books and journal articles as well as Focus Group Discussion (FGD) for the qualitative analysis of these warrisome situation in Nigeria. The findings revealed that inspite of the efforts of various governments and security agents in Nigeria, more than 25,000 people (men, women and children inclusive) have been killed while over 2.8 million displaced from their home after the escalation of this hineous groups known as insurgents/terrorists since 2009. The paper strongly recommends for multi-dimentional and comprehensive approach for a sustainable peace and socio-political stability, economic reform, good-governance void of corruption. This cannot be gotten through the barrel of gun but dialogue, good governance, equity and justice.