The Role of Dialogue in the Search for National Security in the Face of Boko Haram Phenomenon: a Case Study of 2 Samuel 20:16-22

Abstract

The coordinated and unrelenting attacks by the Boko Haram sect in the northern states of Bornu, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Niger, and Adamawa which have claimed several lives, besides making life miserable for Nigerians, remain a threat to national security and survival. Although efforts have been made to curtail the menace, the quest for security of lives and properties is still elusive. Could this menace of insecurity be regarded as ethno-religio-political? This work explores the role of dialogue in the search for National Security as premised on its antecedent case of 2 Samuel 20:16-22. The problem of insecurity in ancient Israel arose from insensitivity of the Judahites which aroused the grievance of the Northern tribes (2 Samuel 19:41-44), leading to the revolt of Sheba, who realizing the implications of his actions, fled to Abel of Beth-maacah where dialogue between Joab and a wise woman brought the war to a satisfactory end though with minimum casualties. One may therefore conclude that dialogue is a way forward. The lingering security threat in Nigeria can be resolved through an effort geared towards probing into the fundamental reason(s) for the spate of violence in the country. Unless genuine dialogue is adopted, Nigeria may end up treating the symptoms rather than arresting the real cause(s) of the problem.

Keywords: Security, Boko Haram, dialogue, insurgents, violence, peaceful co-existence