A REVIEW OF THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY AND ARMED CONFLICTS IN NIGERIA UNDER INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

Abstract

The paper takes an overview of types of conflicts recognized under international humantarian law, in the light of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. It commences with a background, the current state of national security in Nigeria which is followed by  an examination of the concept of terrorism, its variants and how to handle it, the provisions of Article 3 of the Geneva convention of 1949, applicable international treaties, convention against torture and other issues dealing with cruelty, inhuman or degrading treatment of prisoners and punishment, the provisions of the convention on prohibition or restriction on the use of certain conventional weapons, which may be deemed to be excessively injurious or to have indiscriminate effects 1981, the provisions of the charter of the United Nation 1945, the provisions of the convention on the prevention of the crime of genocide 1948, the international committee of the Red Cross and their activities in armed conflicts, visitation to prisoners, care, awareness and a conclusion.