Boko Haram Insurgence: The Devastating Impact of Poor Governance - Essay Sample

Introduction

The insurgence of an Islamic proclaimed terrorist group, Boko Haram is worrying. The militia group is terrorizing both the local Nigerians and the foreign citizens who have invested and reside in the northern country. Boko Haram has destabilized peacemaking efforts in Nigeria. The rise of Boko Haram is a direct outcome of persistent poor governance by the Nigerian federal authority. The self-proclaimed terrorist group has caused more than havoc to Nigeria and the neighboring countries. Despite the numerous attacks, this terrorist group has done to innocent civilians; attacking the fifty loggers whom it kidnapped, carrying out mass shootings in a crowded area, attacking government officials who criticize its action all in the name of religion is absurd. The recent kidnappings of around two hundred and sixty School going girls from Chibok town in the north of Nigeria caught the attention of the international community, the United States paying more attention to the inhuman activists being carried out by the killer group.

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The revolt of Boko Haram seems to be politicized and sponsored by the unseen influential government officers (Carmody 2). It is quite notable that Nigeria is divided into more than two hundred and fifty ethnic groups. With the population being divided into two significant religions; Islamic which mainly covers the northern sides of the country while the Christians reside in the southern parties. It is unfortunate that the establishment of this deadly terror group is an outcome of political exploitation of religious and ethnic group identities - this is witnessed mostly during electioneering periods where rogue political chiefs sponsor such radical groups to scare residents to vote for them (Gray 9).

United States Security Policy in Nigeria

The proclamation by this insurgent Boko Haram that it has instituted an Islamic caliphate beside the federal government stoked fears globally especially in the United States over the quick rise of the insurgent of terrorism in Africa's western nation (Carmody 3). Nigeria is an economic nation with many foreign investors. The United States and China citizens are among the leading foreign investors in the country in countering the emanating threats that were uttered by the founders and leaders of this ill-formed terror group. The US has come up with numerous policies aimed at eliminating this stubborn inhumane group (Gray 5).

One of the significant policies that the United States has reinforced is the security policy which is focused on ending Boko Haram. In ensuring the security policy goes through, the US has resolved to increase the number of its army and peacekeepers in Nigeria, strengthen diplomatic ties with the Nigerian government, and offer real-time humanitarian help to the peacekeepers (Carmody 8). It is clear that the primary responsibility in bringing back the elusive peace in the African continent especially in Nigeria has compelled the US to increase its supply of the military service to counter the attacks from the terrorist group (Gray 3). The United States Security Council has also embarked on revoking travel visas for the Nigerian officials who are being linked to Boko Haram. The implementation of quick and just prosecutions of individuals connected to Boko Haram has also been done (Walker 4).

Expanding Military Assistance

In helping Nigeria wage war against Boko Haram, the United States has initiated a policy that seeks to increase its number of the military to the country (Carmody 5). Even though it will not provide surveillance services, the increase of experienced and skilled military is a sure way of wiping out the terror group. The provision of US military services was initiated by the former president, Barrack Obama, and the incumbent Nigerian head Muhammadu Buhari. The supply of the army to attack and guard the Borno state will be a boost to the Nigeria government as that is the official residence of the Boko Haram. Apart from just providing military personnel to the country, the United States also installed a policy to offer military training programs to Nigeria. This is intended to recruit more citizens into the army to help fight the insurgent group. Nigeria has large inhabitants of people. The ratio of police officers and military personnel to the civilians is unbalanced. The military is much outnumbered by the civilians (Omeje 8).

Helping in Humanitarian Services

About providing military services, the USA is also focused on pressuring the Nigerian federal and states government to pursue human rights agenda (Omeje 4). Under this policy, the United States will help and compel Nigerian authority to carry out credible investigations concerning human rights abuse in the country. Upon completion of the investigation, the government will have to arrest and prosecute those found guilty I. a just manner without any form of favors. The policy is aimed at bringing down the regrouping Boko haram by cutting all its sponsorship links (Gray 10).

Revoking of Visas

The other policy that the US has maintained is cancelation of travel visa cards held by prominent individuals who are being connected to the inhumane activities of Boko Haram (Walker 5). The survival of the Boko Haram entirely depends on sponsorship for I'm other terror groups and prominent egocentric public figures who are only interested in their selfish gains. There have been numerous reports linking senior Nigerian government officials to the Boko Haram which sparked fiery debate over who should be held accountable (Omeje 8). The corruption-prone country has had a lot of difficulties controlling its politicians as they are feared and the power they have scares the citizen from querying them on matters affecting them. The United States has boldly taken up the initiative to help Nigeria fight the terror group by carrying out independent and unbiased scrutiny of top government officials. Those that have been found to have any form of connections to the terror group have been stripped off their visa cards hence limiting their movement in foreign countries. Apart from revoking of visa, the US has also stopped registration of new permits for Nigeria's officials who are affiliated to the terror group (Carmody 6).

Importance of the Security Policies to the United States

In implementing procedures, every party has to gain a benefit from the laws it applies (Walker 7). With the installation of the policies by the United States in Nigeria to help tame and eliminate the dominance of the terror group that is alleging its support and loyalty to other world terror groups, the US stands a chance of not only helping the country but will also reap from the implementation of the laws. Some of the benefits that the US is likely to get include safety of their citizens in Nigeria, improved relations with Nigeria, improved business ties, and receive honors in military services with acknowledgment from global bodies (Gray 7).

Safety of American Citizens

One of the primary benefits that the USA will derive from its policy installation in Nigeria to end the dominance of Boko Haram includes the safety of its citizens living in Nigeria's estates. Recently, Boko Haram had directed nit focus on abducting foreign tourists including the Americans and the French. In the year 2013, Boko Haram claimed responsibility of kidnappings seven French citizens whom it released after hefty payments of ransom (Blanchard and Humud 17). In 2015 it claimed to have hijacked two Americans who were later on rescued and set free (Carmody 8). The security policy being implemented will help in securing Nigeria from the bondage of attacks and also eliminate any possible attacks to the American citizens who are trading in the West African country.

Recognition by International Communities

The participation of the United States in maintaining security in the Borno estate of Nigeria and eliminating Boko Haram ultimately will be an achievement that has defeated the whole Nigerian government (Gray 4). The elimination and restoration of peace will help maintain the peace efforts in Nigeria. Terrorism has become a headache for the majority of countries, and every nation is up trying to fight terrorism without success. The successful elimination of Boko Haram and drawing Nigeria will ultimately earn America as a superpower nation the fight of terror hence earning US special international recognition. It will also improve diplomatic relations with other countries, therefore, ensuring acceptability and recognition (Walker 11).

Conclusion

Boko Haram has become not only a threat to Nigeria but also other neighboring counties such as Cameroon, Niger, and Chad among others as they share the Lake Chad which is used for transportation. The United States has boldly offered itself to help eliminate the terror group by initiating a security policy which is aimed at countering and attacking the insurgent terror groups which are causing restlessness in Nigeria. The plan comes with numerous benefits such as protecting if citizens and establishing a global recognition for America among other benefits.

Works Cited

Blanchard, Christopher M., and Carla E. Humud. "The Islamic State and US Policy." LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC WASHINGTON DC United States, 2017. Accessed from <https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RS21968.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjMr8vMnejhAhVErxoKHameDDwQFjABegQIBRAH&usg=AOvVaw0FhpAaVjMg2CY9xfoQgSfL>

Carmody, Padraig. The new scramble for Africa. John Wiley & Sons, 2017. Accessed from <https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.wiley.com/en-us/The%2BNew%2BScramble%2Bfor%2BAfrica%252C%2B2nd%2BEdition-p-9781509507085&ved=2ahUKEwiz7MaQnujhAhVEExoKHTiDBjoQFjAAegQICBAC&usg=AOvVaw1IedeIKeLa3DZICVGvJp59>

Gray, Christine. International law and the use of force. Oxford University Press, 2018. Accessed from <https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.wildy.com/isbn/9780191021626/international-law-and-the-use-of-force-ebook-3rd-ed-oxford-university-press--2&ved=2ahUKEwiq8Zvam-jhAhUM1hoKHb9RBCAQFjAHegQICRAB&usg=AOvVaw067iUFZ4iM3-Tr_5ZYgq2o&cshid=1556091345856>

Omeje, Kenneth. High stakes and stakeholders: Oil conflict and security in Nigeria. Routledge, 2017. Accessed from <https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.academia.edu/26188144/High_Stakes_and_Stakeholders_Oil_Conflict_and_Security_in_Nigeria_by_Kenneth_Omeje&ved=2ahUKEwjOw82TnejhAhUIyxoKHWZDAUEQFjADegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw0Z408s0EiEx-LRoy_Kz_IG&cshid=1556091694498>

Walker, Andrew. " Eat the Heart of the Infidel": The Harrowing of Nigeria and the Rise of Boko Haram. Oxford University Press, 2018. Accessed from <https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Eat_the_Heart_of_the_Infidel_The_Harrowing_of_Nige%3Fid%3D_ixhDwAAQBAJ%26hl%3Dsw&ved=2ahUKEwjI8_idnOjhAhUDy4UKHdEMB8cQFjAAegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw2FjLZKIOKx0Rl25A-XutUx>