Impacts Of Islamic State In Iraq And Syria’s Terrorism On Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria has been fighting against Boko Haram terrorists without ends despite all the finances expended, national and international military alliances puts in place by authorities. Consequently, Nigeria’s economy is negatively affected, several infrastructure, property and socioeconomic structures are destroyed and lives were lost both within and across the borders for over a decade. Understanding the reasons for authorities’ failure to halt and crush Boko Haram terrorism prompted this study. The study relied on the use of qualitative secondary data, and adopted linkage theory to uncover the rationale for the resilience of Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria. The findings revealed that Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a terrorists group from Middle East extended its tentacle to other parts of the world, particularly into Northern Nigeria. Such ideological affinities impacted the modus operandi, strength, activities of Boko Haram, and other splinter groups like Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP), Ansaru, Mahmudawa, etc. The paper concluded that Boko Haram and other terrorists group’s prowess could not be tamed by authorities in Nigeria because of ISIS influences. The study aimed to awake authorities in and beyond Nigeria, that while ISIS is weak in the Middle East, it is strong and making impacts in Nigeria. Political, military and other authorities are encouraged to reorient the Nigerian citizens, to be patriotic and proactive in exposing and resisting terrorism, create job opportunities for Nigerian youths, collaborate with other sovereign nationstates to face and conquer ISIS’s influences in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.