The Economic and Security Implications of Boko Haram Terrorism

For quite some time now, Nigeria has been experiencing unprecedented level of insecurity as a result of Boko Haram insurgency. Based on the prevailing insecurity situation, the paper argued that Boko Haram terrorism has far- reaching devastating consequences for Nigeria’s social, economic and political development. The insecurity has further proved that Nigeria is a ‘failing state’, characterized by militancy, ethno-religious conflicts, armed robbery, kidnapping, assassination, electoral malpractices, political ineptitude and pervasive corruption. All these have threatened the legitimacy and the corporate existence of the nation. Accordingly, the paper concluded that Boko Haram insurgency is a creation of the Nigerian State which has failed to resolve the aged long knotty national questions, hence the manifestations of various forms of violence in the country. Keywords: Boko Haram, Security, Terrorists, Insurgents, Threat