AN APPRAISAL OF THE LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKS FOR COMBATING TERRORISM IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Terrorism has been a threat to both the people and government of Nigeria. The loss of human and material resources is so monumental and a huge set back to the country. The primary aim of this paper is to appraise the laws and institutional mechanism put in place in combating terrorism. The objective of this paper is to critically evaluate the legal and institutional frameworks put in place to counter terrorism in Nigeria. The methodology adopted in this research is the doctrinal research methodology, this enabled the researcher examine the mechanism put in place to tackle terrorism and find a means of filling the gap identified. The major findings of this research includes terrorism prevention Act 2011 and Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013, s 27 of the Act states that a suspect may be detained for 90 days subject to renewal, while s 28 deals with access to detain person pending the conclusion of investigation while s 29 relates to the privacy of the citizens. These provisions run counter to the spirit of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). It is in the light of the forgoing that this recommendation is made that amendment of the above mentioned provisions to conform with constitution as it relates to Fundamental Human Rights.