Military Role in Domestic Terrorism in Nigeria: A Case Study of the Joint Military Task Force Headquaters, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State

Abstract

Since the return of civil rule in 1999, Nigerian has been battling with series of violent agitation from the various geo-political zones in the country. Recent acts of violence in the country, was carried out by Militant in Niger Delta region and the Boko haram sect in the northern region. This study examines the essence of deploying the Nigerian military in domestic terrorism. Outlining not only the specific role the military can play, but also the implications that can arise from their involvement in domestic terrorism campaigns. The Nigerian Military faces challenges, such as, lack of standard equipments, lack of adequate welfare package, disunity among military personnel's etc. An analysis of the results revealed that military involvement in domestic terrorism has not been as effective as that of civilian law enforcements. And the potential benefits of military involvement do not surpass or over weigh its associated cost. Thus, the use of violence to fight against violence threatens to be counterproductive if their roles cannot be made more effective. Government should therefore, look into those problems military face in order to promote effectiveness in the roles of the military in domestic terrorism; while the following should serve as guidelines to regulate military involvement in counter domestic terrorism (a) military involvement should always be on a short- termed basis, and only when the civilian law enforcements cannot handle the domestic threat. (b) military involvement must form part of an overall domestic terrorism campaign, which also incorporates other non-military means of countering domestic terrorism in Nigeria.