Critical Role of ECOWAS in Combating Insurgency in Nigeria

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Date

2024-12

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Volume Title

Publisher

Lead City University, Ibadan

Abstract

Following several years of military rule in Nigeria, the country has seen an upsurge in violent conflicts leading to insurgency and terrorism since it returned to civilian government in 1999. The Niger Delta and Boko Haram insurgencies stand out among conflict groups in Nigeria as they have produced global consequences, hence provoking domestic and international counter insurgency efforts. Military responses remain primary, but development responses are being increasingly employed. While the challenges of insurgency are global phenomenon in contemporary time, ECOWAS, the regional institution which houses Nigeria and 14 other sovereign states in the region has been playing a critical role in mitigating these problems. However, they do have their own challenges. Adopting the Marxist conflict theory and frustration and aggression theory, the research employed the methodology of secondary data analysis to explore the critical role of ECOWAS in combating insurgency in Nigeria. The findings of this research paper are that, ECOWAS has demonstrated its critical role in combating insurgency in Nigeria through its multi-faceted approach encompassing security, diplomacy, regional cooperation, and humanitarian assistance amidst others. The study recommends the strengthening of intelligence sharing and cooperation among ECOWAS member states to gather and analyse information on insurgent activities in Nigeria and enhance border security measures to prevent the movement of insurgents across ECOWAS borders and into Nigeria. Keywords: ECOWAS, Nigeria, Insurgency, Terrorism Word Count: 216

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Keywords

ECOWAS, Nigeria, Insurgency, Terrorism

Citation

Kate Turabia