Challenges of Countering Terrorist Recruitment in the Lake Chad Region: The Case of Boko Haram

Abstract

This article attempts to shed light on the challenges confronting relevant actors (state and non-state) in countering the threat of terrorism recruitment by focusing on the Boko Haram terrorist organization, whose presence and activities threaten the security of the Lake Chad region. The article uses a qualitative research technique combining key informant interviews with stakeholders familiar with the conflict, academic and non-academic documents, reports, and policy briefs. The findings of the article suggest that despite the various initiatives by stakeholders aimed at containing the strategies of recruitment, the group continues to expand its base by launching coordinated attacks that further destabilize the region. These challenges stem from a lack of a clear-cut counterterrorism strategy, a dearth in technological and mutual trust between actors and locals in the management and utilization of intelligence, and the inability of state institutions to ‘coerce and convince’ citizens in terms of its capacity to counter the danger of terrorism recruitment and expansion. The article, amongst other things, recommends a community policing model similar to the ‘Nyumba-Kumi security initiative’ adopted by most countries in East Africa for the effective assessment and detection of threat forces; the state and its agencies should show the capacity to coerce and convince in dealing with the (ideological, religious, social, and economic) conditions, drivers, and factors promoting the spread of terrorism as well as other forms of violent extremism in the society; furthermore, there is a need for stakeholders to adopt a comprehensive and holistic counterterrorism/violent extremism strategy to reflect present-day security challenges as well as to guarantee sustainable peace.

Rethinking reintegration in Nigeria: community perceptions of former Boko Haram combatants

“…Boko Haram whose official name is 'Jama'atu Ahli-Sunnah Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad' (people propagated to the prophet teaching and jihad) is known for its wanton violence which has led to the flagrant loss of lives, properties and the displacement of people in the region (Abdulazeez and Oriole, 2017;Ike, 2018). While the emergence of Boko Haram is a subject of controversy, it has been acknowledged that the group was formed by Mohammed Yusuf in 2002 (Maza, Koldas and Aksit, 2020).…”

Lake Chad Changing Hydrography, Violent Extremism, and Climate-Conflict Intersection

“…110 Boko Haram continues to thrive under these conditions, preying on weak government capacity and local populations' grievances with the state to strengthen their recruiting efforts. 111 Consequently, this complex humanitarian disaster is rapidly becoming the prevailing example of the climate-conflict trap in action. Failure to address both the security and scarcity sides of the trap will likely see worsened conditions over time as Lake Chad continues to shrink and violent extremism continues to grow.…”

A harc áthelyezése a szociális médiába: a Boko Haram online stratégiájának hatékonysága a toborzás vonatkozásában

“…Sadly, despite extensive searches, she had not been seen or heard of since then, apart from the only piece of information according to which she had been married to one of Boko Haram's unit commanders. Many similar stories can be heard about people's misguidance on social media sites with the intention of subsequently recruiting them 7 (Maza, Koldas & Aksit, 2020). The terrorist organization uses online media to win over individuals who could assist them in its fights against eliminating moral decadence in north-east Nigeria, which is considered the byproduct of Western civilization.…”