A comparative analysis of the legal framework for the criminalization of cyberterrorism in Nigeria, England and the United States

Abstract

Terrorism continues to pose a major threat to both national and international peace and security. It undermines the core values of the government. Nigeria continues to face multiple challenges posed by various terrorist groups with devastating human cost, in terms of lives lost or permanently altered, internally displaced persons and immensely negative consequences for economic and social development. Cyberterrorism is terrorism committed with the aid of a computer or computer network. This paper examines the  provision which makes up the legal framework for the criminalization of cyberterrorism in Nigeria in comparison with that of England and the United States. The paper adopts a comparative legal method of analyses wherein the paper compares the legal framework in the different jurisdictions with the aim of interrogating the adequacy of the legislations. The paper further tries to assess and/or identify the gaps in the existing laws. The legal responses of both the national and international communities are analyzed in the paper. From the analysis, the paper finds that with the reoccurrence of terrorist attacks in Nigeria, the enactment of a law may not be enough, as cyber-terrorist attacks in Nigeria is imminent. The paper thereby recommends the establishment of a joint task force for cyber security and building of a National Cyber Command Center that will be the go-to center for cyber security in Nigeria and will facilitate Cyber intelligence integration for all governmental parastatals and other institutions in Nigeria.

Keywords: Cyberterrorism, Terrorism, Security, Cyber-Security, Computer Network.