Boko Haram Insurgency: Repercussions on Educational Institutions in Adamawa State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue VIII, August 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Boko Haram Insurgency: Repercussions on Educational Institutions in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Ahmed Rufa’i Usman^1*, Usman Ibrahim Dabai²

¹Department of Sociology, Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State-Nigeria
2Department of Sociology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto-Nigeria

Abstract: Boko Haram attacks on educational institutions include assassination, attacks on students, academics, arbitrary arrest, torture, abduction and bombing. This is done through the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEds), rocket attacks, suicide bombs, grenades and gun shootings. Education is under attack as the incidence of violence against educational institutions is on the rise in Nigeria due to Boko Haram which reduced school attendance among youths. Since 2009 Boko Haram has targeted educational institutions, killing hundreds of students and staff. Boko Haram has bedeviled the educational sector by attacking Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges, Secondary and Primary schools. Structures were destroyed and thousands of staff and students displaced by Boko Haram insurgents. The population of the study comprised students and staff of Adamawa State University, Mubi and the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi. Questionnaires and in-depth interview IDI were used as instruments of data collection. A sample population of 300 respondents was employed by the study. Cluster and accidental sampling techniques were used to draw the respondents. The study finds that the insurgents have affected academic activities, structures, manpower and coping strategies after resumption in the institutions. The study recommended that government should improve security situation and the affected institution should be assisted by the government, philanthropists and NGOs to improve academic activities.

Key words: Academics, Boko Haram, Educational Institutions, Insecurity, Insurgency

I. BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Insurgency is a security challenge to many nations, as it causes instability and confusion by disrupting peace and stability. Insurgent groups engage in armed uprising or revolt against an established civil and political authority. The goal of insurgency is to confront the existing government for the control of its territory, showing political power by competing with the government for popular support. The desire of most insurgent groups is to control a nation and establish political system base on their ideology.

Ogwuche (2013) opined that insurgency is a violent move by a group of persons to resist or oppose the enforcement of law or running of government or revolt against the constituted authority of the state or of taking part in insurrection. The movement aimed at the overthrow of a constituted government through the use of subversion and armed conflict. Insurgency is often linked to terrorism, as terrorism is a tool that many insurgent groups use to further their agenda.

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