Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Military Against Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria Under President Muhammadu Buhari

Abstract

The trends of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria have called for more effective counter-strategies. The terrorist acts of the Boko-Haram since 2009 have created a state of palpable fear in Nigeria and beyond, while the helpless posture of the government and the military is worrisome. This paper specifically examines the evolution and development of the sect, and efforts of the military in addressing the challenges and the implications. It examines the conceptual clarification of insurgency and terrorism, and reviews the handling of the Boko Haram insurgency by both Jonathan and Buhari administration. The paper engaged qualitative methods and extensively made use of secondary source of data such as internet, text books, newspapers, journals, and recorded information. It also made use of both historical method and descriptive analysis. The paper revealed that, the relocation of the Command and Control Centre of the Military to Maiduguri by President Muhammadu Buhari administration added impetus and renewed vigour to Operation Zaman Lafiya, which is aimed at bringing the Boko Haram insurgency to an end in North Eastern Nigeria.

Keywords: Boko Haram, Insurgency, Terrorism, Military Operation, Counter-Strategies