Department of Defence and Security Studies

As the leader of the Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awatiwal Jihad (‘People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad’), commonly known as Boko Haram,  Abubakar Mohammed Shekau has transformed the organisation from an initially puritanical sect to an extremely violent organisation, even exporting terrorist acts beyond Nigeria. Under Shekau’s leadership, the Boko Haram has emerged as a globally acknowledged terrorist organisation, despite speculations about his death.

The thrust of this paper is on the challenge posed by the NDA to the Nigerian State. It argues that the audacity of the NDA lies in its proven capacity to launch devastating attacks on critical oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta. The paper therefore posits that the menace of armed militancy in the Niger Delta can better be addressed through robust peace architecture that subscribes to community engagement.

This paper traces the nature, causes and factors that facilitates and sustain the scourge of terrorism in Africa. It argues that governance problematic, religious extremism and negative extra continental influences are critical to understanding the phenomenon of terrorism in Africa. The paper also identifies state fragility, porous borders, arm conflicts and under-governed spaces as facilitators of terrorism in the continent. The paper further reviewed the incidence of terrorism in Africa and observed that Africa has gained increasing relevance as a theatre for the financing of international terrorism. Finally, the paper observed that the counterterrorism initiatives across the continent are constrained by several factors including the absence of adequate legal regime and operational capacities of security agencies especially in sub-Saharan Africa.