HISTORICIZING TERRORISM WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF NIGERIA’S NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Insurgency and terrorism has become the greatest threat to the world peace, security and development, especially in the 21st century. The euphoria over the killing of Osama Bin Laden, founder and leader of the most dreaded terrorist group in the word, “the Al-Quedaâ€, was short-lived by the upsurge in terrorist activities in a world that is already ravaged by natural disasters. The Nigerian experience of insurgency and terrorism since the return to civil rule in 1999, has been quite alarming and devastating, thereby, posing great threat to the peace, security and development of the nation. This paper therefore, examines the historical overview of terrorism in Nigeria, the perceived causes of terrorism, its effects and suggests ways out of the menace.