Responding to homegrown terrorism: the case of Boko Haram.

If terrorism as it is known from history is changing, should the response to it change as well? This paper reflects on the rise and activities of Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria and the hesitation of domestic, regional and international efforts in stemming its spread. It finds that the rise and impact of homegrown terrorist groups like Boko Haram deserve closer attention than they have previously received particularly with regard to legal responses by domestic governments and the international community. The activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria have brought to the fore challenges faced by law and governments in tackling an ideology whose purpose is so far largely misunderstood and whose means of garnering public attention remain as variant and as indiscriminate as their attacks of terror. This paper argues for a reconceptualization; a rethink about the implications for law and social order in the 21st century by examining the lessons to be drawn from, and the responses to be considered, in addressing the emergence of groups such as Boko Haram and their brand of homegrown terror