Boko Haram Menace: Need for Collective Security for National Development

Abstract

Nigeria has been at war with the terrorist sect known as Boko Haram for quite some time. The insurgency which initially concentrated at the northeast region of the country has spread its activities to many parts of the north of the country, including Abuja.  Many souls have been lost since the insurgency erupted.  The more the Nigeria-state tries to either dwarf the activities of the sect or totally exterminate the sect in its entirety, the more the sect reaffirms insurgency in the country through more heinous crime. This paper therefore identifies the activities of Boko Haram and the cause of insecurity in the country.  The paper also examines the role of collective security system in order to combat crime in the country.  In carrying out this research, the historical and content analysis method was adopted.  It has been discovered, that there are subversive elements and fifth columnists in the country’s armed forces, especially the army and customs service who are thwarting the efforts of government and security agencies.  It is stressed that security is the duty of every citizen hence collective security is desirable at this moment of the country.  In addition, the country should de-emphasise religion in all it does because this is partly responsible for the subversion in the security services hence government efforts are fruitless in spite of the resources put into the war against the Boko Haram menace.  The paper recommends, amongst others, that national security should be a collective efforts rather than leaving it for government alone.

Keywords: Boko Haram, Nigeria, Security, Collective security.