Terrorist Bombing in Nigeria: A Critical Analysis of Its Socio-Political Roots from 2000 – 2011

ABSTRACT This study looked at terrorist bombing in Nigeria: A critical Analysis of its socio-political roots since 2000 – 2011. If focuses on two main research questions: (i), Is there a positive relationship between religious fundamentalism and terrorist bombing in Nigeria? (ii); Does the presidential power shift to the south account for terrorist bombings in Nigeria. The study adopted frustration-aggression theory as theoretical framework of analysis, secondary sources of data which was generated through observational method was used. Descriptive qualitative method of data analysis was used for analysis of generated data. In respect of the above research questions, two observations are made. First, there is a positive relationship between religious fundamentalism and terrorist bombings in Nigeria. Second, the presidential power shift to the south account for terrorist bombings in Nigeria. It therefore recommended that the convocation of a sovereign national conference is a matter of urgency, zoning formular that will rotate presidential seat among the six geo-political zones in Nigeria will be of great important; job opportunities should be the topmost agenda of the government in order to engage the teaming youths amongst others.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page - - - - - - - - - i

Certification - - - - - - - - - ii

Dedication - - - - - - - - - iii

Acknoweldgement - - - - - - - - iv

Table of contents - - - - - - - - v

List of tables - - - - - - - - - vii

Abstract - - - - - - - - - viii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study - - - - - - - 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem - - - - - - - 6

1.3 Objectives of the Study - - - - - - - 8

1.4 Significance of the Study - - - - - - - 8

1.5 Scope of the Study - - - - - - - 9

1.6 Literature Review - - - - - - - - 9

1.7 Theoretical Framework - - - - - - - 38

1.8 Hypotheses - - - - - - - - 39

1.9 Methods of Data Collection and Analysis - - - - - 39

CHAPTER TWO: RISE OF MODERN TERRORISM IN NIGERIA

2.1 Terrorism in Modern Nigeria - - - - - - 45

2.2 Causes of Terrorism - - - - - - - 50

2.3 Tactics of Terrorism - - - - - - - 61

2.4 Chronicle of Bombings in Nigeria - - - - - 67

2.5 Costs of Terrorism in Nigeria - - - - - - 73

CHAPTER THREE: JUSTIFICATIONS FOR TERRORISM IN NIGERIA

3.1 Doctrine of Necessity justification - - - - - 83

3.2 Political Justifications - - - - - - - 85

3.3 Hackers Criminals, crazies and crusaders justification - - - 88

3.4 The social conditions justification - - - - - 90

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3.5 Youth, Religions, and Ideology in the Terrorist make-up. - - 93

3.6 The means to-an-end justification - - - - - 104

3.7 Instruments of counter-terrorism - - - - - - 106

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Test of Hypothesis I - - - - - - - 116

4.2 Test of hypothesis II - - - - - - - 124

4.3 Critical analysis of the socio/political roots of terrorist bombing in Nigeria. 139

4.4 Findings - - - - - - - - - 156

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary - - - - - - - - - 158

5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - - 161

5.3 Recommendations - - - - - - - 162

Bibliography - - - - - - - - - 167 - 180