Victims of Terrorism in Nigeria: A Study of Boko Haram and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS)

Abstract

Despite government condemnation of terrorism and international concern for safety of lives and property, terrorism keeps raising its ugly face up across the globe. This paper examines the relationship between Boko Haram and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria. It is no longer news to insinuate that the activities of this deadly sect have forced millions of people to flee their homes for safety. Adopting the Frustration/Aggression theory as the theoretical framework, the paper basically utilized secondary data generated by scholars on the nexus between the terrorist activities of the sect and the plight of displaced individuals in Nigeria. The paper found religion, ethnicity, violation of human rights, corruption, poverty, unemployment, bad governance, unconstitutional and undemocratic practices as major causes of Boko Haram in Nigeria while the effects of their nefarious act include: loss of lives and property, radicalization of the younger generations, violation of human rights and above all, displacement of people. The paper recommended poverty alleviation programme, job creation, ethno-religious tolerance, adherence to the rule of law, respect for human rights to be collectively pursued by all stakeholders so as to prevent insurgency and the rate at which people flee their homes.