1.1 Introduction
Terrorism as a concept has continued to generate mixed and conflicting interpretations. Efforts to discern its root causes have proved inconclusive. Terrorism can be founded on the interplay of a number of factors such as lack of economic outlook, relative deprivation, political repression and a failed state system. The most striking conclusion is that these factors alone may not necessarily lead to terrorism,but may require a unifying idea and anappropriate mechanism to channel these into an enviable force that will unleash terror against a perceived enemy (Mair, 2003). Terrorists’ operations weaken state's ability to provide peace to its citizens. Women; children and men have all suffered the consequences of terrorism.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The twenty-first century terrorists seek to weaken governments, attack the strong bonds between the government and its subjects. Their activities cause political, economic, social and environmental damage. Terrorists activities are transnational and have inevitably crossed porous borders. This has made it difficult for governments to control security systems since technology observes no borders. This has left governments exposed and its power and responsibility to protect its citizens diminished.
Humphries (2002:732), defines terrorism as, the “use of violence, sometimes indiscriminately against persons and property for nominal purpose of making a political statement.” The use of violence may be perpetrated by the state, guerrillas, death squads, international terrorist and dissidents, nationalists, religious fundamentalists and fanatics. The definition of terrorism is a subject of immense debate within the United Nations (UN) and other world bodies. There is no consensus definition of terrorism at the UN level thus terrorists take advantage of that weakness to pursue their clandestine political objectives. There is need to build a more effective and pragmatic system of international peace such that terrorists will find very difficult to operate at the micro and macro-level.
National security from the above perspective is the defense of a country against internal and external threat to national unity, cohesion, peace, aspirations, goals, etc. According to Anyadike (2013), national security now encompasses a broad range of activities which impinge on non-military or economic security of the nation and the values supported by the society. In this regard, national security is the requirement to maintain the survival of a country through the use of economic, diplomacy and political power. It is the cherished value associated with the physical safety of individuals, groups or nation-states together with a similar safety of their other cherished values. It denotes freedom from threats, anxiety and danger. This is ensured through security agencies (Nweke and Nwachukwu, 2014).
Therefore, in Northwestern Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Role of Local Actors in Counter-Terrorism Operation.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Terrorists’ activities weaken state's ability to provide peace to its citizens. Women; children and men have all suffered the consequences of terrorism. The attack of the Nigeria on 9/11 has indicated that it is not only the small actors in the international system who can succumb to the ills of terrorism but also the most powerful states and dominant players in the system.
The damage of infrastructure is impulsive to an extent that billions of dollars are wasted in rebuilding structures. The ambiguity surrounding the concept of terrorism has been an impediment towards conducting empirical research. There is less substantive knowledge of what the concept entails and this makes it necessary for a continuous engagement with the concept. However, this will contribute to the body of research in the field.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to evaluate the Role of Local Actors in Counter-Terrorism Operation using Northwestern Nigeria as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To evaluate the role and operation of local actors in counter-terrorism
- To identify the causes of terrorism in North West Nigeria National Development,
- To find out the reason for Banditry Terrorism in North West despite the collective state efforts,
- To examine the effects of terrorist activities on peace and security in Northwestern Nigeria,
- To provide recommendations on how to effectively combat the effects of terrorism in North West Nigeria system.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there effects of terrorist activities on peace and security in Northwestern Nigeria?
- What is the role and operation of local actors in counter-terrorism?
- What are the causes of terrorism in North West Nigeria National Development?
- What is the reason for Banditry Terrorism in North West despite the collective state efforts?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant factor instigating counter-terrorism in Northwestern Nigeria
- H1: There is a significant factor instigating counter-terrorism in Northwestern Nigeria
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There are no significant effects of terrorist activities on peace and security in Northwestern Nigeria
- H1: There are significant effects of terrorist activities on peace and security in Northwestern Nigeria
1.7 Significance of Study
The research findings will be of great significance to the world and regional organizations concerned with world peace, educationists, security and state institutions, concerned with tackling terrorism. It is against this background that Open Distance Learning (ODL) plays a pivotal role in providing education under these circumstances. Banditry Terrorism disrupts livelihoods, increases violence and fear, affects production in all sectors of economy, destroys infrastructure and has resulted in bloodshed. In all cases of terrorist attacks, it has disrupted normal education life, stalled production in the economy and international effort to provide peace and security.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Role of Local Actors in Counter-Terrorism Operation using Northwestern Nigeria as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Terrorism: This is the use of violence, sometimes indiscriminately against persons and property for nominal purpose of making a political statement
