AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY ON SOCIAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN GWOSA L.G.A, BORNO STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Since the emergence of Democratic government in Nigeria in 1999, the yearnings and aspirations of the populace and Citizenry was that with the coming of civilian government the dividends of democracy will spread to everywhere in Nigeria. However, their hopes have been dashed by the recent events in Nigeria. Fifteen years after civilian rule, the country's security situation is pathetic such that hardly is anyone in the country is safe from the attacks of terrorists, kidnappers, armed gangs and militants. Different form of violence has also compounded the security situation that has-made Nigeria unsafe for residence, the activities of the dreaded Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram has been a great concern to the Nigerian government and the international community. Based on data available; Boko Haram sect has killed more than 100,000 citizens, and displace  more than two million despite the security measures taken by the federal government and other international agencies to checkmate the heinous crime of the sect against humanity (Sani, 2017). It was in the light of the failure of the government counter terrorism drive that youths in the North- East part of the country had to form a- youth anti-terrorism movement called "Civilian JTF" to complement the effort of the government counter terrorism strategy. A lot of factors have been attributed to the cause of insurgency in Nigeria such as socio economic, political and religious factors. However, Awojobi (2014) and 0nuoha (2014) posit that the high-rate of poverty in Nigeria has made the youths in the North Eastern region (Where most of the activities of the sect are concentrated) to be easily lured and enlisted in the ranks of Boko Haram foot soldiers, with promises of cash, heavenly salvation, pleasures and this recruitment has elongated the conflict since 2009 till date. Despite the counter terrorism measures declared in the region, the bombings, killings and kidnappings by the Boko Haram sect continues unabated. Social economic activities in Borno state and Gowza L.G.A since 2009 has witnessed considerable decline as people and properties have being subjected to attacks by the Boko haram insurgents. Many people have been killed and properties destroyed which valued at over a billion dollars. They also stole properties, touch building and thereby destroyed livelihoods of farmers and forcing hundreds of business to close or relocate. The concentration of these Boko Haram sect in the Northern part of Nigeria that is noted for agricultural activities poses a threat to food security in the region in particular and Nigeria in general (Pual, 2013). The effects of insurgency on an economy could be explained from many fronts. However, depending on the aims and objectives of the insurgents, government approach at tackling it, may expose the economy. For instance, government approach to curbing insurgency by closing international borders may affect the flow of commodities resulting to loss of revenue (Collier, 2013, Balami, 2011, O’ Neil 2014). In the same vein, imposition of curfew as well as multiple military/police check-point as a security measure restricts business transactions. On the side of agricultural sector, larger percentage of the population in LDCs are involved in farming, this include animal rearing. Insurgent destroyed large hectares of farmland. Also millions of livestock have been adversely affected. The fishing industry was also affected as over a million fishermen emigrated to safer places within the country or neighboring countries (Collier 2013, Merrick, 2014, Berdel & Kenn, 1997). Socio-economic activities has been destabilized, increased crime and destruction of both life and properties of Nigerian citizens presently occupying that region either as indigenes or residents, owing to the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents. This can be attested to by the mass movement of people living in Northern part of the country most especially the North eastern region. This situation has made it impossible for the citizens in the Borno state as a whole to carry on with their legitimate businesses. It is also driving away foreign investors out of the country. Students are being forced to flee Schools, and also the gravity of the insurgency, has made some governments vow never to allow Nigerian students from their states, visit the region for anything (Human Right Watch Reports, 2016). The purpose of this study therefore is to unravel the effects of Boko Haram insurgency on the social economic activities of Gwoza L.G.A, Borno state of Nigeria.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The emergence of Boko Haram insurgency has introduced a terrorist dimension, hitherto unknown, into the criminal space in Nigeria. Series of bombings have been carried out by the sect, as well as taking hostage of innocent citizens. Even the United Nations Building in Abuja was not spared in the bombing spree. In rich as well as poor countries, terrorism exerts a heavy toll on national economies. It is inevitable that the economic impact of terrorism would be more felt in unsophisticated mono-cultural low-income economies than they would be felt in highly advanced, diversified industrial economies. Therefore, the continued rise in terrorism activities in the country, if not checked, may result in greater investor apathy for the country and resulting in low inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and would make institutional investors look for other stable economies to invest their money. On the state of the country, when people feel insecure, their appetite to invest, to buy or rent from the product of investment reduces; and that is why all over the world, any country that radiates an environment of insecurity naturally repels investment initiatives from both the international community and its own local investors. Hence, terrorism is a threat to the economic, political and social security of a nation and a major factor associated with underdevelopment; because it discourages both local and foreign investments, reduces the quality of life, destroys human and social capital, damages relationship between citizens and the states, thus undermining democracy, rule of law and the ability of the country to promote development (Adebayo, 2013). However, the work will analyze Boko haram and its effect to the social economic activities of Borno state.

1.3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major aim of the study is to assess the effects of Boko Haram insurgency on socio economic activities in Gwoza L.G.A, Borno state. Other specific objectives are as follows;

1. To examine the extent the Boko Haram insurgency has affected the social economic situation in Gwoza L.G.A,  Borno State
2. To examine if poverty is an inducing factor of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.
3. To examine the effect of Boko Haram insurgency on socio economic activities in Gwoza L.G.A, Borno state.
4. To identify the factors limiting the social economic development of Gwoza L.G.A, Borno state.
5. To examine the relationship between insurgency and social economic development
6.  To recommend solutions to Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. To what extent does the Boko Haram insurgency affected the social economic situation in Gwoza L.G.A, Borno State?
2. Is poverty an inducing factor of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria?
3. What are the effects of Boko Haram insurgency on socio economic activities in Gwoza L.G.A, Borno state?
4. What are the factors limiting the socio-economic development of Gwoza L.G.A, Borno state?
5. What is the relationship between insurgency and social economic development?
6.  What are the recommended solutions to Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria?

1.5   RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

Hypothesis 1

HO: There is no significant effect of Boko Haram insurgency on social economic activities in Gwoza L.G.A, Borno state

H1: There is a significant effect of Boko Haram insurgency on social economic activities in Gwoza L.G.A, Borno state

Hypothesis 2

1. There is no significant relationship between insurgency and social economic development in Gwoza L.G.A, Borno state
2. There is a significant relationship between insurgency and social economic development in Gwoza L.G.A, Borno state

1.6   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The following are the significance of this study:

The findings from this study will educate the government and the general public on the extent of damage done by the activities of the Boko Haram sect in Gwoza L.G.A, Borno state and its effect of the social economic activities with a view of resolving the crisis. This research will also serve as a resource base to other scholars and researchers interested in carrying out further research in this field subsequently, if applied will go to an extent to provide new explanation to the topic

1.7   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study is restricted to the assessment of the effects of Boko Haram insurgency on social economic activities in Gwoza L.G.A, Borno state.

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Insurgency: Is defined as an organized movement aimed at the overthrow or destruction of a constituted government through the use of subversion, espionage, terrorism and armed conflict. Insurgencies normally seek to overthrow the existing social order and reallocate power within the country.

Economic: The theories, principles, and models that deal with how the market process works. It attempts to explain how wealth is created and distributed in communities, how people allocate resources that are scarce and have many alternative uses, and other such matters that arise in dealing with human wants and their satisfaction.

Social economic: (Also known as socio economics) is the social science that studies how economic activity affects and is shaped by social processes. In general it analyzes how societies progress, stagnate, or regress because of their local or regional economy, or the global economy.