Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Counterterrorism Policy Towards Boko Haram in Nigeria During 2009-2015 Steve Olufemi Ojelade Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Peace and Conflict Studies Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Steve Olufemi Ojelade has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Gerald Regier, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Joseph Pascarella, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Michael Brewer, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 Abstract Counterterrorism Policy Towards Boko Haram in Nigeria During 2009-2015 by Steve Olufemi Ojelade MA, University of Ibadan, 2007 MIR, ObafemiAwolowo University, Ile-Ife, 2004 BA, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 2001 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Public Administration Walden University November 2018 Abstract The Nigerian government has emplaced counterterrorism policy measures to combat Boko Haram terrorism since the group became violent in 2010. However, there is a gap in the understanding of how these policies were developed and implemented. Such knowledge may offer suggestions as to how these policies can be improved. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore and describe the development and implementation of counterterrorism policy towards Boko Haram in Nigeria during 2009- 2015. Scott’s institutional theory and Baumgartner’s punctuated equilibrium theory constituted the study’s theoretical foundation. Interview data were collected from individuals selected using a purposive and criterion sampling strategy who played prominent roles in the development and implementation of the policy as well as those who were its beneficiaries. Data were analyzed using content analysis and coding. Key findings from this study provide an understanding of how the policy was developed and how it is being implemented and might be improved. Recommendations include the development of a holistic strategy involving both soft and hard approaches. Collaboration between stakeholders in the security sector and key community leaders in northeast Nigeria is crucial to active counterterrorism effort. The insights from the study on Nigeria’s past counterterrorism policy development and implementation may assist policy makers in making improvements in their mechanisms and strategies for actively fighting Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. Policy makers in other African countries may also find the outcomes of this study useful as they provide a potential blueprint for counterterrorism policy development and implementation. Counterterrorism Policy Towards Boko Haram in Nigeria During 2009-2015 by Steve Olufemi Ojelade MA, University of Ibadan, 2007 MIR, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 2004 BA, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 2000 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Public Administration Walden University November 2018 Dedication I dedicate this doctoral study to God the Almighty who enabled me to achieve this height. My dedication also goes to my wife, Mary, and my lovely children, Emmanuel, Grace, and Joshua, for their prayers, care, support, and encouragement to make my doctoral dream a reality against all the odds; I appreciate each of you. I also dedicate this study to my father and mother, the late Mr. Gabriel Adekola Ojelade and Mrs. Dorcas Owoola Ojelade. You made me make a promise that I would not stop until I achieved my doctoral goal. Thank you for instilling values and character in me. My father, how I wish you were here to share my joy because I know you would be proud of this achievement. Acknowledgments I want to express my deep heart appreciation to the chair of my committee, Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Paul Regier, for all the guidance, encouragement, and mentorship throughout my dissertation journey. Your timely intervention that gave me a giant leap is acknowledged. Indeed, you are a gift from God. Thanks to my committee members, Dr. Joseph Pascarella and Dr. Mihael Brewer, for your valuable feedback and suggestions that ensured that this study confirmed with the standard prescribed by Walden University. Thank you. Finally, to all my colleagues at the Institute for Security Study, Lower Usman Dam, Bwari, Abuja, I appreciate you and express my thanks to you all for all your valuable contributions. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study…………………………………………………… 1 Background of the Study ...............................................................................................4 Problem Statement.........................................................................................................5 Purpose of the Study……………………………………………………………..........8 Research Questions………………………………..……………………………..........9 Conceptual Framework…………………………………………………………........10 Nature of the Study……………..………………………………................................12 Design of the Study……………………………………………………………..........13 Methodology……………..……….…………………………………………….........14 Definitions……………………………………………………………........................15 Assumptions…………………………………………………………….....................18 Scope and Delimitations………………………………………………………...........19 Limitations……………………………….…………………………….......................20 Significance of the Study……………………………………………………….........21 Summary and Transition………………………………………………………….......22 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................24 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………..24 Literature Establishing the Relevance of the Problem…………………………………....24 Preview of the Chapter..……………………………………………………………...26 Theoretical Foundation………………………………………………………………27 i Institutional Theory……………………………………………………………….28 Punctuated Equilibrium Theory…………………………………………………...32 Conceptual Framework……………………………………………………………….38 The Concept ……………………………………………………………………...38 Synthesis of Literature Related to the Concept…………………………………...40 Definitions of Key Concepts and Benefits of the Framework…………………….47 Terrorism………………………..………………………………….…………47 Terrorism in Nigeria………..………………………………….……….…......55 Boko Haram…………………………………………………….….…………60 Boko Haram Ideological Factor.................................................................,.64 Global Perspective of Counterterrorism………………………………….........69 Counterterrorism Policy Towards Boko Haram Terrorism in Nigeria...............78 Counterterrorism Policy Process in Nigeria……………………………….......85 Literature Review Related to Key Concepts…………………………………………..89 Description of Related Studies…………………………………….………….89 Description of Previous Approaches to the Problem………........…..…….......91 Justification From Literature for Selection of Concept………………….……94 Review and Synthesis of Related Studies of Concept…………………..…….99 Review and Synthesis of Related Studies to Research Question……………103 Gaps Identified in Previous Research…………………………………………….......106 Summary and Conclusions……………………………………………………………108 Major Themes in the Literature Summarized...................................................108 ii What is Known and Not known in the Discipline Connected to the Topic of Study............................................................................................................108 Chapter 3: Research Method………………………………………....…….…………….110 Introduction..................................................................................................................112 Research Design and Rationale………………………………………………...……..112 Central Concepts………………………………………………………………………113 Research Tradition and Approach………………………………………………..…...114 Role of the Researcher……………………………………………………………...……..115 Personal and Professional Relationships…………………………………………...... 115 Researcher Bias……………………………………………………………………….116 Ethical Issues………………………………………………………………………….117 Methodology………………………………………………………………………….117 Participant Selection Logic…………………………………………….................117 Instrumentation………………………………………………………………..….118 Collection of Data Procedures…………………………………………………….118 Data Analysis ……………………………………………………………..............119 Issues of Trustworthiness………………………………………………………….......120 Credibility…………………………………………………………………….…...121 Transferability……………………………………………………………………..122 Dependability…………………………………………………………………......123 Confirmability …………………………………………………………………….123 Ethical Procedures……………………………………………………………… 124 iii Treatment of Participants…………………………………………………………….......125 Treatment of Data………………………………………………………………………...125 Summary...... ....................................................................................