Implications of Boko Haram Terrorism and Just War in Islam in Nigeria

Abstract

Radicalism, militancy, insurrection, insurgency, and terrorism are phenomena that point to the fact that there is an upsurge in violent rebellion in global human society. The near a decade long menace of Boko Haram terrorism has triggered a wide range of implications and pushed Nigeria to the precipice. Regrettably, the various government officials, policy makers, media practitioners and public commentators that spoke or responded to the issue gave the ethical component little attention. In fact, not much research has been done on the moral conduct of Boko Haram in the context of its challenges in Nigeria. It is this salient dimension and gap that this work seeks to fill. Thus, the research discusses the implications of Boko Haram terrorism and evaluates their moral conduct from an Islamic just war perspective. The study adopted the phenomenological design and the descriptive research methodology. Data were derived from primary and secondary sources. The primary source was obtained through structured and in-depth interviews. The secondary sources of data were derived from text books, journal articles, newspapers, and policy documents. Descriptive analysis was used in the interpretation and analysis of data gathered and the data discussion was done socio-ethically. A number of causative factors were behind Boko Haram terrorism such as Islamic revivalism and expansionism, government’s high-handed military response to the group, guaranteed transcendental reward and the quest for social significance, financial and logistical supports, and influences from transnational jihad groups. Military and non-military approaches were adopted by the federal and other foreign governments to manage the menace. Various religious and community leaders equally contributed to the management of the challenge. The core negative implications are psychological, economic, agricultural, political, health, educational, humanitarian, human rights, religious and international. While the positive implications comprised of increased security consciousness, economic and political developments in the area, legal reforms and judicial developments, and calls for the establishment of state police. Though the group fell short of some of the justice before war (jus ad bellum) and justice during war (jus in bello) criteria, the principle of necessity (Al Darura) in Islamic ethics and laws of war absolves Muslim fighters from any moral burden during war on the grounds of necessity. It makes the unlawful to become lawful and as such bequeaths morally rightness to their actions. The research recommends that for sustainable peace to prevail, total Sharia can be implemented for Muslims provided the federal system is restructured.