GLOBAL TERRORISM AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTH-EASTERN NIGERIA, 2009-2017.

The study examined global terrorism, Boko Haram and the challenges of socio-economic development in North Eastern part of Nigeria. The import of this study stemmed from the fact that it is a paradox that Nigeria which is an oil-rich country is currently inhabited by some of the poorest persons in the world and accounts for the highest percentage of internally displaced persons in Africa. This is borne out of the reality of immanent and long-standing conflict and generalized violence therein. The study situated its discourse within the ambit of the increasing spread of the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram sect in Nigeria and the destruction of lives and property vis-a-vis its implications for national security as it has provoked a humanitarian crisis of horrendous proportion. Its strength is thus not so much about the causes of the evolution of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria but the humanitarian hazards it has occasioned by displacing and dislocating thousands of citizens within the Northeast, forcing them to flee realities of sudden death, economic hardship and social strains. The study employed primary and secondary sources of data collection - making use of questionnaire, interview as well official documents and relevant academic materials in this area; and utilizing Social Identity Theory as its framework of analysis. The findings revealed that the activities of Boko Haram insurgency has affected the socio-economic development of the North east. Illiteracy, unemployment, poverty, corruption, religious and political manipulations, the long and porous borders, vast forest and deserts were emerged as driving force of the insurgency group. To reverse this trend, the study therefore recommends among others the youth should be empowered in addition to access to social security, access to affordable health care delivery, social amenities and infrastructure which will in turn bring about development in the region. The Nigerian security apparatus should be reinforced and enhanced to curtail infiltration of illicit weapons into the country by terrorists. Finally, government needs to be sincere, representative and fair in the treatment of its citizens; all forms of discrimination and marginalization in dealing with religious and development issues. ix