Defence strategy: intelligence and management of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria

Abstract

The phenomenon of Boko Haram (BH) terrorism in Nigeria has generated security concerns. Since the emergence of terrorism in Nigeria BH has carried out more lethal attacks than any other terrorist organisation in Africa. The U.S. Department of State country report on terrorism indicates that Boko Haram has contributed extremely to the growth of terrorism globally. Pathetically, despite huge government budget on security and military operations in the quest to combat BH, evidence shows that the Nigerian State is far from winning the war on terror. Security and defence scholars have made efforts to understand the sect activities that have undermined Nigeria National Security. This indicates that Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy is devoid of the vital ingredient of intelligence. BH mode of operation is covert and can only be defeated through strategic and tactical intelligence which is shrouded in secrecy of information and operations. This research focuses on the significance of intelligence in the campaign against Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria.