Nature of terrorism and anti-terrorism laws in Nigeria

Abstract

Terrorism poses an unprecedented threat to Nigeria’s national security interest, and indeed, the very existence of the Nigerian State. The paper examines the definition and forms of acts of terrorism in Nigeria with a view to understanding the continual existence of the menace despite measures adopted by the government to counter terrorism. Nigeria has witnessed various conflicts with features of terrorism although an attempt to label such acts as terrorism had met with stiff oppositions. Hence, terrorism remained undefined under Nigerian law for a long time. The absence of a specific anti-terrorism law to prosecute terrorism related cases had been a clog on prosecution of terrorism related cases, but with the enactment of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011, this obstacle has been overcome. Going by the definition of acts of terrorism as provided for under the Act, motive is one of the reasons why terrorism is treated differently from other criminal acts. Religious motive for the advancement of terrorism is what is being witnessed in Nigeria today. Hence, a multi-sector approach especially, religious, legal and political means towards ending terrorism in Nigeria is recommended.

Keywords: Terrorism; Nature, Evolution, Boko Haram, Militancy in Nigeria