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Terrorism And Nigeria's External Image Under Goodluck Jonathan’s Administration
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1.2 Statement of the problem
However,
Muyiwa, (2013) opined that Boko Haram expanded its terrorist attacks in
Nigeria to include international targets, such as the United Nations
(UN) building in Abuja in August 2011. The group also made significant
leaps in its operational capability, and there are indications that
members of the group have received weapons and training in bomb-making
and other terrorist tactics from al-Qaeda affiliates in the north and/or
east of the continent (Muyiwa, 2013). According to the United
States Department’s Global Report on Terrorism, Nigeria ranked 2nd with
593 deaths in 2011 from terrorist killings on the African continent,
second to only the failed state of Somalia. On the global level, Nigeria
was placed 5th in the ranking of casualties (Country Report on
Terrorism, 2010). Domestic terrorism has a long history in Nigeria. Both
south and north of the country have experienced acts of terrorism. Some
groups that pose the greatest security challenge in Nigeria include
Niger Delta Avengers, Militant, Boko Haram and others. These groups have
adopted strategies that included arson, kidnapping, extrajudicial
killings, looting, illegal detention, disappearances, and at worst, a
suicide bombing. Although some of these groups receive substantial
support from the local population, the fact is that sometimes their
tactics of terrorism and poses a particular challenge for the Nigerian
military. Since the return to civilian rule, Nigeria has been plagued
with a series of violent agitations of various geo-political zones of
the country. These violent agitations that took terrorist dimensions
contributed to the threat of national security which is capable of
disintegrating the country. Terrorist attacks have led to the killing of
hundreds of people and the wanton destruction of property worth
billions of naira by bombing.
The strategic implication of these acts
of terrorism on the national security of Nigeria is the thrust of this
study, while the literature abound on the terrorism "the terms" national
security and more research is needed to elucidate the link between
terrorism and national security in Nigeria. Outright confrontation with
police and military officers, violent attacks against the population,
vandalizing a pipeline bombing of the installation of the oil, the armed
resistance against the agents of the Nigerian state and transnational
oil companies operating in the region, kidnappings and hostage taking
have serious strategic implications for Nigeria in the international
community. Since the activities of these terrorist groups, particularly
since 1999, have not only been a major threat to the security of the
nation, but also make the country one of the most dangerous places to
live in the world. The activities of this sect are able to disintegrate
the country. Thus, the need to find a lasting solution to the grievance
of these groups is paramount.
Furthermore, Ajibola, (2014) asserted
that helping Nigeria confront this complex, multifaceted terrorist
threat is in the interests of the U.S. and the international community.
In early 2012, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of
emergency in four states—Yobe, Borno, Plateau, and Niger—in concert with
the deployment of armed forces, the temporary closing of international
borders in the northern regions, and the establishment of a special
counterterrorism force (Ajibola, 2014). In addition, Balogun, (2014)
opined that the above was done should in case the country’s latest
efforts to confront and defeat Boko Haram fail, in that the terrorist
violence could worsen, undermining an already fragile regime and
possibly spilling over into neighboring countries. As the region’s
largest oil supplier, the global economic impact of a prolonged campaign
of terrorism could be severe. The human toll of the terrorist violence
is also reaching very worrisome levels; several hundred Nigerians were
killed or injured in Boko Haram attacks in just the first two months of
2012 (Balogun, 2014).
1.3 Objective of the study
The general objective of this study is to examine terrorism and
Nigeria’s external image under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
The specific objectives are:
To determine the factors that influenced terrorism during Goodluck Jonathan's administration.
To determine effects of terrorism on Nigeria’s foreign relations under President Goodluck Jonathan administration.
To describe the nature and dynamics in Nigeria’s image crisis under President Goodluck Jonathan administration
To find out if there were challenges in implementing policies against terrorism under Goodluck Jonathan's administration.
1.4 Research questions
What factors influenced terrorism in Nigeria during Goodluck Jonathan's administration?
Did terrorism affect Nigeria’s foreign relations under President Goodluck Jonathan administration?
What was the nature and dynamics in Nigeria’s image crisis under President Goodluck Jonathan administration?
What were the challenges in implementing policies against terrorism under Goodluck Jonathan's administration?
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