Boko Haram and Nigeria’s National Security: Some Reflections from Historical-Constitutional Perspective

Abstract

Acts of terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram have been a serious national security concern in Nigeria since 2009. Since then, the terrorist organization has executed several acts of terrorism in different parts of Nigeria, particularly in the northern states. Noteworthy, some of the acts of terrorism have been targeted against Churches and Christians. Ideologically, it is well-known that Boko Haram detests western civilization and education, and abhors Christianity; its avowed motive is to Islamize Nigeria, contrary to the secular status of Nigeria enacted in the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). From historical perspective, the struggle to Islamize Nigeria can be traced way back to the colonial era when Nigeria was under British rule and subsequently from the first republic. Under the 1999 Constitution, Sharia has a limited application and the Constitution is supreme. On the contrary, Boko Haram wants Sharia to be the supreme law of the land, and this informs its terrorist campaigns. Under Nigerian law, acts of terrorism are forbidden. However, this article argues that the law and the judiciary have not, so far, been helpful in checking the terrorist activities of Boko Haram.