Boko Haram Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism: The Soft Power Context

Abstract

Given terrorists’ use of violence in pursuit of their objectives and violent counter-terrorism measures, terrorism is not often associated with soft power. Nevertheless, terrorist organisations subscribe to ideologies that are appealing to certain individuals and/or segments within their immediate environment and beyond. Similarly, counter-terrorism initiatives that embrace the utility of soft power might be more successful than those that rely on the use of naked force. While the soft power of terrorist organisations has received scant attention, there has been modest scholarly inquiry into a soft power approach to counter-terrorism. However, no comprehensive research has been conducted on the place of soft power in Boko Haram’s activities and the Nigerian government’s efforts to end their campaign. This article offers a new perspective to the burgeoning literature on Boko Haram terrorism by examining whether or not it possesses elements of soft power that are appealing to certain Nigerians. It also examines if the Nigerian government has adopted a soft power approach in its counter-terrorism efforts. The article concludes that effectively tackling the sect will require a smart power strategy.

Engagement in licit ventures by terrorist organisations and terrorism financing in the Lake Chad region

“…Numerous efforts and counter-terrorism responses aimed at eliminating terrorist control of territories, repelling terrorist attacks, undermining terrorist activities and capacity, undercutting terrorist recruitment and financing, have been adopted by governments of the region individually and collectively to contain terrorist activities. Some of these approaches include the military and nonmilitary responses (Mahmood & Ani, 2018;Tella, 2017;Ugwueze & Onuoha, 2020).…”

Historical Context of Counterterrorism Measures in Nigeria and The Need for Restorative Justice

“…Buhari's administration also intensified conciliatory efforts by launching a program to de-radicalize youths (Tella, 2018). The program kicked off in vulnerable communities in the North and in displaced persons camps.…”

United States’ Security Governance in Nigeria: Implications on Counterterrorism Strategies Against Boko Haram

“…The reasons are poor intelligence, lack of information on Boko Haram sponsors, the spread of radical extremism, human rights abuses by security forces, existence of other armed groups in northern Nigeria, and divergence between promise and performance. Eji (2016) and Tella (2017) fault the government's approach for being militarycentric and not people-centered. Weeraratne (2015) further notes that strong-armed counterterrorism operations further radicalized Boko Haram.…”