A Decade of Terror in Nigeria: Challenges and Response from 2011 – 2021

Aiyemowa Bamidele

doi:doi:10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15

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A Decade of Terror in Nigeria: Challenges and Response from 2011 – 2021

Aiyemowa Bamidele^*

Published in Humanities and Social Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 6)

Received: 31 October 2025 Accepted: 17 November 2025 Published: 24 December 2025

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Abstract

Nigerians national security got flawed by a terror group on 26^th August, 2011. A terror group which refers itself as “Jama ‘atuAhl as - sunnah li-Da’awatiWal- Jihad” JASDJ popularly known as Boko Haram detonated a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devise(VBIED) on United Nations Headquarters in Abuja killing scores and left many injured. A decade after, terrorists continue plotting and launching attacks in Nigeria.Barely,a decade into Nigeria return to a democratic government witnessed the sudden rise of insurgency threat to human lives, property and her nascent democracy.Considering the miracle of a transition to democracy after years of dictatorship military rule,many never imagined the sudden rise of terrorist cellular development that would bring feverish tension gripping innocent civilian populace of Nigeria.Compared to the ruthless and often uncommon shrewdness of the era of military rule that rose to dizzy heights in Nigeria,non had such sudden and prolonged reign of terror and insurgency threat to national security Foreign Embassies have issued travel advisory to its citizens, who intend visiting Nigeria, due to threat to life, terrorism and other related crimes.In so far as gap exist in the safety of lives,property and national security,this paper raises questions on what is terrorism? and what are the background and motives of terrorism in Nigeria? This paper examines the challenges and response top restoring order and averting the multiplication of terrorist groups in Nigeria. Terrorism releases shocking waves of fear in the spine of nations. When fear is gone life opens up all its grandeaur. An increased majority are in fear from extremist andradical terror groups in Nigeria. Their right to life need be reassured and be delivered fromthis fear.Ultimately this paper deploys conceptual tools such as historical sources for objective analysis and answers to the concept of terrorism, its background and motives in Nigeria.

Published in	Humanities and Social Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15
Page(s)	557-563
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Decade, Terror, Nigeria, Challenges, Response

References

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[3]	United Nations. International Criminal Court, Office of the Prosecutor, 2017: 46.
[4]	United Nations General Assembly.The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Doc A/RES/60/288, 2006.
[5]	Organisation for Security and Co-peration in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council.Charter on Preventing and Combating Terrorism. Porto 7 December, 2002.
[6]	United Nations.A More Secure World: Our Shared Responsibility.United Nations Publication Sales N E.05.1.5.
[7]	United Nations. Negotiations within the United Nations Continue on a Draft Comprehensive Convention on Terrorism, which would include a Definition on Terrorism.Proceedings of the AD-HOC Committee Established By General Assembly Resolutions 51/210, http://www.un.org/law/terrorism
[8]	Status in the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Area of the Universal Anti-Terrorism Conventions and Protocols as well as other International and Regional Legal Instruments Related to Terrorism and Cooperation in Regional Matters. OSCA, September 2013, http://www.osce.org/atu/17138
[9]	MajidKhadduri.War and Peace in the Law of Islam.Clark N. J: Law Book Exchange, 2010: 16-158.
[10]	Mark A. Gabriel. Journey into the Mind of an Islamic Terrorist.Front Line Publishers, 2006: 2.
[11]	Samuel Okunade.Nigeria’s Poor Response to Boko Haram Has Left Communities Feeling Abandoned.University of Pretoria, March 17, 2021.
[12]	OmeriAkali.The Chibok Kidnappings in North East Nigeria:A Military Analysis Before and After. Small Arms Journal 14(4), 11 April, 2018.
[13]	Presidential Villa, State House.Factsheet: Federal Government’s Efforts to Ensure the Safe Return of the Dapchi Girls. Available from: https://statehouse.gov.ng Factcheck March 2, 2018. Accessed 12 November, 2025.
[14]	Pauline Le Roux. Responding to the Rise in Violent Extremism in the Sahel. Spotlight African Center for Strategic Studies, No. 36, December 2019.
[15]	Marc-Antoine Perouse de Montclos. Nigerian Watch.Ten Myth about Violence in Nigeria. www.nigerianwatch.org New Series. Accessed 8 November, 2025.
[16]	Angela Ajodo-Adebanjoko, Rosemary IjeomaNwofor. Herdmen and Farmers Clashes in North-Central Nigeria: National Security Implications. Wukari International Studies Journal, Vol 8(4) July 2024: 171-176.
[17]	Combating Banditary in Northwest Nigeria. American Security Project, 26 July, 2021.
[18]	AchidMuchalas.The Role of Air Power in Counter-Insurgency Operations.Maxwell Air Force Base Alabama, 1988.
[19]	United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 and 1377, 28 September, 2001. Wikipedia. Accessed 22 January, 2024.
[20]	Doris Dokua Sasu.Terrorism in Nigeria-Statistics and Facts. Statista Report, December 21, 2023.
[21]	Charles Agwam.Vanguard News Paper. 16 July, 2018.

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Bamidele, A. (2025). A Decade of Terror in Nigeria: Challenges and Response from 2011 – 2021. Humanities and Social Sciences, 13(6), 557-563. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15

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Bamidele, A. A Decade of Terror in Nigeria: Challenges and Response from 2011 – 2021. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2025, 13(6), 557-563. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15

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Bamidele A. A Decade of Terror in Nigeria: Challenges and Response from 2011 – 2021. Humanit Soc Sci. 2025;13(6):557-563. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15

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@article{10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15,
  author = {Aiyemowa Bamidele},
  title = {A Decade of Terror in Nigeria: Challenges and Response from 2011 – 2021},
  journal = {Humanities and Social Sciences},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {557-563},
  doi = {10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.hss.20251306.15},
  abstract = {Nigerians national security got flawed by a terror group on 26th August, 2011. A terror group which refers itself as “Jama ‘atuAhl as - sunnah li-Da’awatiWal- Jihad” JASDJ popularly known as Boko Haram detonated a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devise(VBIED) on United Nations Headquarters in Abuja killing scores and left many injured. A decade after, terrorists continue plotting and launching attacks in Nigeria.Barely,a decade into Nigeria return to a democratic government witnessed the sudden rise of insurgency threat to human lives, property and her nascent democracy.Considering the miracle of a transition to democracy after years of dictatorship military rule,many never imagined the sudden rise of terrorist cellular development that would bring feverish tension gripping innocent civilian populace of Nigeria.Compared to the ruthless and often uncommon shrewdness of the era of military rule that rose to dizzy heights in Nigeria,non had such sudden and prolonged reign of terror and insurgency threat to national security Foreign Embassies have issued travel advisory to its citizens, who intend visiting Nigeria, due to threat to life, terrorism and other related crimes.In so far as gap exist in the safety of lives,property and national security,this paper raises questions on what is terrorism? and what are the background and motives of terrorism in Nigeria? This paper examines the challenges and response top restoring order and averting the multiplication of terrorist groups in Nigeria. Terrorism releases shocking waves of fear in the spine of nations. When fear is gone life opens up all its grandeaur. An increased majority are in fear from extremist andradical terror groups in Nigeria. Their right to life need be reassured and be delivered fromthis fear.Ultimately this paper deploys conceptual tools such as historical sources for objective analysis and answers to the concept of terrorism, its background and motives in Nigeria.},
 year = {2025}
}

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PY  - 2025
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AB  - Nigerians national security got flawed by a terror group on 26th August, 2011. A terror group which refers itself as “Jama ‘atuAhl as - sunnah li-Da’awatiWal- Jihad” JASDJ popularly known as Boko Haram detonated a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devise(VBIED) on United Nations Headquarters in Abuja killing scores and left many injured. A decade after, terrorists continue plotting and launching attacks in Nigeria.Barely,a decade into Nigeria return to a democratic government witnessed the sudden rise of insurgency threat to human lives, property and her nascent democracy.Considering the miracle of a transition to democracy after years of dictatorship military rule,many never imagined the sudden rise of terrorist cellular development that would bring feverish tension gripping innocent civilian populace of Nigeria.Compared to the ruthless and often uncommon shrewdness of the era of military rule that rose to dizzy heights in Nigeria,non had such sudden and prolonged reign of terror and insurgency threat to national security Foreign Embassies have issued travel advisory to its citizens, who intend visiting Nigeria, due to threat to life, terrorism and other related crimes.In so far as gap exist in the safety of lives,property and national security,this paper raises questions on what is terrorism? and what are the background and motives of terrorism in Nigeria? This paper examines the challenges and response top restoring order and averting the multiplication of terrorist groups in Nigeria. Terrorism releases shocking waves of fear in the spine of nations. When fear is gone life opens up all its grandeaur. An increased majority are in fear from extremist andradical terror groups in Nigeria. Their right to life need be reassured and be delivered fromthis fear.Ultimately this paper deploys conceptual tools such as historical sources for objective analysis and answers to the concept of terrorism, its background and motives in Nigeria.
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Aiyemowa Bamidele

History and International Studies, Federal University, Lokoja, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0009-0007-4762-1380

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Bamidele, A. (2025). A Decade of Terror in Nigeria: Challenges and Response from 2011 – 2021. Humanities and Social Sciences, 13(6), 557-563. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15

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ACS Style

Bamidele, A. A Decade of Terror in Nigeria: Challenges and Response from 2011 – 2021. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2025, 13(6), 557-563. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15

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AMA Style

Bamidele A. A Decade of Terror in Nigeria: Challenges and Response from 2011 – 2021. Humanit Soc Sci. 2025;13(6):557-563. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15

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@article{10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15,
  author = {Aiyemowa Bamidele},
  title = {A Decade of Terror in Nigeria: Challenges and Response from 2011 – 2021},
  journal = {Humanities and Social Sciences},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {557-563},
  doi = {10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.hss.20251306.15},
  abstract = {Nigerians national security got flawed by a terror group on 26th August, 2011. A terror group which refers itself as “Jama ‘atuAhl as - sunnah li-Da’awatiWal- Jihad” JASDJ popularly known as Boko Haram detonated a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devise(VBIED) on United Nations Headquarters in Abuja killing scores and left many injured. A decade after, terrorists continue plotting and launching attacks in Nigeria.Barely,a decade into Nigeria return to a democratic government witnessed the sudden rise of insurgency threat to human lives, property and her nascent democracy.Considering the miracle of a transition to democracy after years of dictatorship military rule,many never imagined the sudden rise of terrorist cellular development that would bring feverish tension gripping innocent civilian populace of Nigeria.Compared to the ruthless and often uncommon shrewdness of the era of military rule that rose to dizzy heights in Nigeria,non had such sudden and prolonged reign of terror and insurgency threat to national security Foreign Embassies have issued travel advisory to its citizens, who intend visiting Nigeria, due to threat to life, terrorism and other related crimes.In so far as gap exist in the safety of lives,property and national security,this paper raises questions on what is terrorism? and what are the background and motives of terrorism in Nigeria? This paper examines the challenges and response top restoring order and averting the multiplication of terrorist groups in Nigeria. Terrorism releases shocking waves of fear in the spine of nations. When fear is gone life opens up all its grandeaur. An increased majority are in fear from extremist andradical terror groups in Nigeria. Their right to life need be reassured and be delivered fromthis fear.Ultimately this paper deploys conceptual tools such as historical sources for objective analysis and answers to the concept of terrorism, its background and motives in Nigeria.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Decade of Terror in Nigeria: Challenges and Response from 2011 – 2021
AU  - Aiyemowa Bamidele
Y1  - 2025/12/24
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15
T2  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JF  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JO  - Humanities and Social Sciences
SP  - 557
EP  - 563
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8184
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20251306.15
AB  - Nigerians national security got flawed by a terror group on 26th August, 2011. A terror group which refers itself as “Jama ‘atuAhl as - sunnah li-Da’awatiWal- Jihad” JASDJ popularly known as Boko Haram detonated a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devise(VBIED) on United Nations Headquarters in Abuja killing scores and left many injured. A decade after, terrorists continue plotting and launching attacks in Nigeria.Barely,a decade into Nigeria return to a democratic government witnessed the sudden rise of insurgency threat to human lives, property and her nascent democracy.Considering the miracle of a transition to democracy after years of dictatorship military rule,many never imagined the sudden rise of terrorist cellular development that would bring feverish tension gripping innocent civilian populace of Nigeria.Compared to the ruthless and often uncommon shrewdness of the era of military rule that rose to dizzy heights in Nigeria,non had such sudden and prolonged reign of terror and insurgency threat to national security Foreign Embassies have issued travel advisory to its citizens, who intend visiting Nigeria, due to threat to life, terrorism and other related crimes.In so far as gap exist in the safety of lives,property and national security,this paper raises questions on what is terrorism? and what are the background and motives of terrorism in Nigeria? This paper examines the challenges and response top restoring order and averting the multiplication of terrorist groups in Nigeria. Terrorism releases shocking waves of fear in the spine of nations. When fear is gone life opens up all its grandeaur. An increased majority are in fear from extremist andradical terror groups in Nigeria. Their right to life need be reassured and be delivered fromthis fear.Ultimately this paper deploys conceptual tools such as historical sources for objective analysis and answers to the concept of terrorism, its background and motives in Nigeria.
VL  - 13
IS  - 6
ER  -

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