Vested interests and politicisation of terrorism in Nigeria: A critical terrorism studies perspective

Abstract

This study interrogates the discourses and issues of terrorism and counterterrorism in Nigeria. That terrorism has plagued Nigeria for over a decade (2009-2020) makes it imperative to subject the purpose, conduct, scope, and outcomes of Nigeria's counterterrorism efforts to a critical analysis. This work adopted qualitative research methods (primary and secondary data collection), and used discourse analysis strategy to analyse the collected data. Using critical terrorism studies framework, the central argument of this study is that Nigeria lacks national consensus on the problem of terrorism, which has impacted negatively on the efforts to counter the scourge. The country lacks the needed unity of purpose to combat terrorism due to vested interests and politicisation of the terrorism issues. Consequently, the menace has lingered in ways that have made the country very fragile. This study concluded that for Nigeria to get out of the woods, both the leaders and the citizens would have to unanimously face the reality that terrorism is a common enemy that should be confronted in unison and with a whole-of-society approach. To continue doing otherwise is to allow the country to dissolve into "socio-political Armageddon".