Terrorism and civil war nexus: How terrorist tactics help or hinder insurgencies in Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, terrorism and insurgency reflect integrated security issues. During internal conflicts, insurgents use tactics aimed at the attainment of political, religious or ideological ends. This study investigates the terrorism–civil war relationship in terms of the immediate operational gains and the enduring strategic costs for Nigeria. Strategic Logic of Terrorism Theory was used to guide the study. Quantitative method was adopted in the study for data collection and analyses. A purposive sampling technique was adopted to select information-rich and relevant materials that directly addressed the objectives of the study. Data collection was based on documentary review, where relevant secondary materials were systematically gathered from academic databases, libraries, and credible online sources. This study discovered that various tactics were deployed to create terror and despondency among civilians and the government, including the use of suicide bombing and armed raiding of villages, as well as Improvised Explosive Devices [IEDs], attacks on key infrastructures, kidnappings for ransom, and psychological warfare and propaganda. It was established in the study that the use of terrorism in insurgency provides actors of the latter with immediate strategic gains; however, in the context of civil wars, the tactic of terrorism undermines the sustainability of the insurgency. The study, hence, suggests the need for the Nigerian government to build a unified national security database to provide a platform that consolidates intelligence across the military, police, Immigration Service, DSS, and local authorities. This unified approach should improve the country’s readiness to respond to the challenges posed by insurgents.