Civilians in Counter-Insurgeny Operations in Nigeria

Abstract

Insurgency in recent times has gained unprecedented attention all over the world. Human beings on daily basis witness and or hear about the activities of different insurgent groups in different states fighting for one cause or the other. However, the enormous cost and hazards inflicted on states by these insurgents in terms of human and material cost have always spurred the government to respond, most times, with lethal force to at least provide security to the civilian population and civilian objects which are often the targets of insurgents. In the course of this intervention, the state is seen as competing with the insurgents over the control of the civil population who both the state and the insurgents seek to win their support and in turn control. While employing thematic approach in investigating civilians in counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria, this paper argues that the state is often accused of human rights violation as a result of its neglect of the principles guiding wars with armed groups and insurgents. The paper suggests that the solution to ending insurgency lies in the promotion and provision of good governance by the state and in case there is insurgency, the International Humanitarian Laws as it concerns war with armed groups need to be revisited to avoid human rights violations in Nigeria.