Curbing Insurgencies in Nigeria: Roles for the Media

Abstract

Insurgency is a concept that is fluid and largely subject to arguments which are capable of generating emotional exchanges due to differing perspectives and divergent understandings and positions. It has been a global phenomenon, particularly in the Nigerian State with the emergence of groups such as the Niger-Delta ethnic militants in the South-South, Oodu’a People’s Congress (OPC) in the South West, Bakassi Boys and Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in the South East that its approach is to unleash force to maintain order. The research also brings up the case of the group Jama’atul Ahlus Sunnah Lidda’awati wal Jihad, popularly referred to as Boko Haram which means Westernization is a sin, giving great publicity to terrorist actions such as killings, kidnapping, bombing, disruption of public peace and so on. The research hence looks at how the activities of the media has aided the actions of insurgents and how it may be used as a tool to stem the insurgency tide in the country. The research adopts the survey methodology, using Focus Group Discussion as an instrument to elicit discussants perceptions as to how the media can use its wide reach to curb the spread of insurgency in Nigeria.

Keywords: Niger-Delta, Oodu’a People’s Congress, Bakassi, MASSOB, Boko Haram