TERRORISM IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATION FOR DEVELOPING SOCIAL AND POLITICAL LIFE OF YOUTH IN NORTH EAST

Since 2009, Nigeria has been experiencing terrorism by Boko Haram group against its citizens particularly in the North Eastern States ofAdamawa, Bomo, Yobe and some parts ofBauchi State. The most affected group are the women, children and youth. Though the youth formed the armed vigilante group against Boko Haram terrorism, yet they are vulnerable and easy targets of Boko Haram recruiters. Their strong opinions and beliefs and lack of employment opportunities as a result of bad governance make them vulnerable to the religious movement. The article amines the Boko Haram terror and its implications on the social and political life of youth in north east Nigeria. It find out that young people are the terror agents and recruited based on their poverty and unemployment status, and lack of equal opportunities and tolerance. Their social and political development is backward due to bad governance by the democratic government in place which has not provided better targeted public services, accountability, caring for the youth and access to opportunities for growth and higher standard of living. It concludes that young people are part of social and political world having various dispositions through experience with several specific institutions including Boko Haram movement which may have impact on their behaviours regarding participation in politics towards violence. It recommends the promotion of civic tight awareness that will impact on the development of democratic attitudes and behaviours. Government should develop polity interventions that could enhance the youth feeling of belonging, employment and empowerment programme as well as de-radicali^ation and rehabilitation programme which include medical and psychological support and education to assist formal combatants with reintegration into social and political life.