Women as Victims of Insurgency: A Study of Female Suicide Bombers in Nigeria

Abstract

Terrorism, which has systematically crept into Nigerian lexicon has gained currency and drawn increasing attention. Boko Haram is an extremist Islamic group in Nigeria that has engaged in guerrilla warfare across the north-eastern {Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe) states of Nigeria since 2002. The increasing international character of Boko Haram particularly the use of teenage girls and women in their suicide operation has become a focus of analysis. The sect is known for bombing, using explosives to kill, and to cause massive destruction, hence a threat to national security. This paper undertakes a descriptive and qualitative method of inquiry to examine the Boko Haram instrumental use of women as suicide bombers. Many of the information presented in this study were based on some media interviews with the victims, the availability of high quality secondary sources as primary interviews were not possible.