DYING TO WIN

BOKO HARAM TERRORISM AND SUICIDE BOMBING IN NIGERIA

Abstract

If there is any consensus in the popular and academic literature on the post-colonial Nigeria, it is that violent conflict especially by non-state actors have been on the increase in the past decades. The study examined the nature, dimension and trend in Boko Haram (BH) suicide terrorism. It predicated its discussions and analysis on the games theory of politics. On this note, it argued that the kidnapping, abductions, recruitment, radicalization and deployment of people especially women and children on suicide missions were well thought out strategy in keeping its campaign alive. It also noted that the group has preference for women and children as they are usually seen as harmless by security agents. It concludes that military action alone cannot successfully eliminate the BH challenge. The study recommends that emphasis should be placed in understanding why people join BH and the various ways the BH recruits its fighters.