https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 43 Abstract Due to the challenges of high level of loss of human and material wealth caused by insecurity theneed for a solution cannot be overemphasized such the need for such studies of this nature. A total of 400 sample size were 400 copies of questionnaires were distributed, but only 360 copies were returned. Considering the application of chi-square in the test of hypothesis one, it was discovered that calculated X2 value (301.18) is greater than critical value at 0.5 level of significance, based on its findings the study concluded and made several recommendations amongst that government should not adopt the Niger Delta solution, that is, amnesty to Boko Haram because up till date, nobody can evidently say that these are Boko Haram members. Thegovernment cannot grant amnesty to people that are up till now operating invisibly. Keyword; Boko Haram, Insecurity, Development and Safety of human and material Properties. INTRODUCTION Since Nigeria’s Independence in 1960, Nigerians have been faced with a lot of problems emanating from disorderliness, confusion and the latest insecurity challenges. To be precise, the Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region By Dr.Gbenemene Kpae Department of sociology University of Portharcourt And Ayanabia Aaron PhD Department of Sociology University of Port Harcourt IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." first problem Nigeria encountered was the military intervention in the Nigeria’s polity. The military administrations which were the fall-out of the coups and counter coups marked the beginning of the country’s calamities and misfortunes. These were followed by the claims and agitations for resource control by the Niger-Delta region, which means demands for larger share of the oil revenue. The inability of the government to meet up with such demands, led to the militant groups in the region taking arms and waged war against Nigerians. Nigerians got relieved following the introduction of amnesty policy into Nigeria’s political and democratic system by the Yar’Adua’s administration. Unexpectedly, there arose in most recent time, a disorder of a serious religious dimension in the country. The dangerous trend in insecurity came with the emergence of Boko Haram, the Muslim fundamentalist sect, bombing and attacking everything within reach. According to reports, multiple explosions went off one after the other in places like Kano, in the usual manner of attacks by members of Boko Haram sect in Maiduguri, Damaturu, Potiskum, Gombe, Abuja and Madalla in Niger State (Okpaga, 2012:77). They attacked government institutions and later expanded to churches thereby inflicting terror and destruction on innocent people. Suicide bombing of the United Nations Secretariat in Abuja on August 26, 2011 did not happen long after a similar attack on the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters on June 16. Boko Haram as the name denotes does not have one particular meaning. The name more or less connotes different meanings to different people. The group is a Nigerian Islamic group that seeks the imposition of Sharia law throughout the whole of Nigeria. Figuratively, members of this group believe that “Western Education is a sin”. Presently, the group has an undefined structure and chain of command. Since its formation in 2002 in Maiduguri by the leader of the group Mohammed Yusuf, Boko Haram has been a thorn in the flesh of Nigeria’s security agencies, precisely the police force. In IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 44 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." the year 2004, the Islamic fundamentalist group relocated its base to Kananma, Yobe State. The new location was named “Afghanistan”, and from there, the group set about attacking and leaving members of the Nigerian Police Force lifeless.It is no longer news that the activities of the Boko Haram and other similar political or religious sects have often led to loss of lives, properties and even the breakdown of law and order, peace and security in the Nigerian society at large. It has been observed that a lot of attacks have been made on many states, which includes the federal capital territory, Abuja. What puzzles most observers is the fact that most of the attacks are not carried out by suicide bombers yet the culprits often get away unarrested. This leaves a big question mark on our security agencies as regards to their duty in the protection of lives and properties, and the procurement of weapons of mass destruction to combat this menace which is eating deep into the Nigerian society today. Without exaggeration, Boko Haram crisis does not have any advantage. Instead, it is a vicious and nefarious act carried out by individuals for their selfish desires, the motivating factor being to control the religious and political power. HYPOTHESIS For the purpose of this study, the following hypotheses are formulated: 1. Boko Haram’s insurgence affects the Development of Nigeria. 2. Boko Haram is a regional religious sect. 3. Boko Haram terrorism has led to loss of revenue and seeming disunity in Nigeria. The Ideology Boko Haram is an indigenous salafist group which only turned itself into a Salafist Jihadist group in 2009. It propagates that not only interaction with the western world is forbidden, but it is also against the Muslim establishment and the government of Nigeria.Boko Haram seeks the establishment of an Islamic State in Nigeria. It opposes westernization of Nigerian society and the concentration of the wealth of the country among members of a small political elite, mainly the Christians in the southern part of Nigeria. IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 45 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." On the 13th of November 2008, Mohammed Yusuf was arrested following an attack on a police station in Maiduguri in which 17 of his followers were killed. His followers were members of the “Jama-atuAlhis Sunna Lidlaaueati Wal Jihad”, otherwise, known as Boko Haram.During the Nigerian sectarian violence in 2009, the Nigerian security captured and killed the leaders of the radical Islamic terrorist sect. Mohammed Yusuf was responsible for the clashes which led to the death of more than 700 people. He was captured in Borno State and detained at the GiwaBaracks. Mohammed Yusuf was arrested, and he died in police custody while trying toescape. Mohammed Yusuf’s body was on display at the state police command Headquarters. His bullet riddle body was shown on state television. (Shehu Sani (2011). The consequences of Mohammed Yusuf’s death have fuelled the Boko Haram crisis. After the killing of Yusuf in Police custody on July 30, 2009, the sect carried out its first terrorist attack in Borno State, in January 2010, under Shekau its current leader. It resulted in the killing of four people. Since then, the violence has escalated both in frequency and intensity (News Watch, 2012). Reason Behind Boko Haram’s Violence Non-stop violence, rivers of blood, thousands of deaths and intensified fears about the future- this is what the citizens of Nigeria’s North East are going through, some of them every day. The scale of attacks has not been limited to the Northern region. Within a short period of time, suspected Boko Haram terrorists have raided Kaduna, Lagos, Gombe, Federal Capital Territory and other areas. In this trying times for Nigeria, it is important to consider the major reasons why Boko Haram violence persists, based on the analysis of the reports of local and international media houses. The reasons include the following; Ethnic and Religious Mix It is widely believed that Boko Haram fighters are (at least predominantly) Muslims. However, basically all the Islamic scholars have been saying that Boko Hara has nothing to do with Islam. They openly disagree with the sect and are outraged. That terrorists use religion to justify atrocities, and to cause IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 46 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." division in society.The dreaded sect has attacked or attempted to attack several mosques during prayers. Mary Muslims, like Christians, have become victims of mass murders.Imbalance Between the North and the SouthSeemingly disconnected historical event over the past 60-70 years started the slide into poverty and inequality that eventually led to the formation of Boko Haram. Before Nigeria’s Independence in 1960, British colonial authorities ruled the north (where most Muslims live) and south of Nigeria (where most Christians live) separately. Western schools started by Christian missionaries flourished in the south, but Muslim leaders were reluctant to allow Christian mission schools to open in the north. The long-term result, is a massive economic and educational imbalance between the north and south which persists today. In many southern state, more than 90% of women are literate. The corresponding percentage is below 5% in some states in the far north less, than 10% of Nigerian University applicants come from the 12, major Muslim States in northern Nigeria (where Boko Haram’s insurgency rages). Boko Haram draws its members from the legions of uneducated, unemployed, poor and disenchanted young northern men and women. POVERTY AND YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT The vicious cycle of poverty that mainly happened is all due to youths unemployment, over 64 million Nigerian youths are unemployed and 1.5 million youths are underemployed. Unemployment causes social frustration, dejection, dependency on family and desperation. This dependency situation has left the youths in vicious cycle of chronic poverty that daily erodes their confidence of bright future. In such a case, most of this unemployed youths are the primary target of the insurgent (Adebago 2014). In addition, international fund for Agricultural Development (FAD 2007)said “despite Nigeria’s bountiful resources and oil wealth, poverty is widespread to the extent that the country was ranked one of the 20 poorest counties in the world”. Indeed over 70 percent of Nigeria’s population is classified as poor, with 35 percent living in absolute poverty. IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 47 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." Northern Nigeria in particular has the highest figure of relative poverty in comparison with South-West and South-East zones which have relative poverty of 67.0% and 59.1% respectively. The North East and North-West zones have 76.3% and 77.7% relative poverty respectively (NBS 2014). The increasing rate of unemployed youths in the region, which were economically deprived, mostly was the recruiting target of Boko Haram. In 2013, the federal government released some detainees of Boko Haram, mostly wives and children of the sect members, some children confessed of providing keys of fuel to Boko Haram to set schools and other building ablaze in Maiduguri for the sum of five thousand naira (N5,000), (Olojo 2013). This shows how the people in that area were living in absolute poverty due to the failure of government to provide education and economic opportunity in the area for more than a decade. These socio-economic problem has contributed to the escalation of Boko Haram terrorism in North-Eastern Nigeria. POLITICAL FACTOR: The dispute over 2011 election result which left over eight hundred (800) people dead, has also played a role in Boko Haram’s escalating violence. Many northern Nigerians view the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, as illegitimate, arguing that he ignored an informal power rotation agreement that should have kept a Muslim as president this round. (Muslim President Umar Musa Yar’Adua died in 2010, two years into his four years term). Leadership Newspaper (2012). Voting irregularities during the election as well as effort to change presidential term limits, further alienated the north from Jonathan. The Boko Haram sect also want political power in the nation thereby making a northerner or Muslim as the president because they believed that the Christians or southerners are corrupting influence in governance. The effects of Boko Haram IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 48 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." There is no gain saying the fact that an activity has increasingly and predominantly taken the airwaves in the country. The implication is that the country, which already has series of problems to deliberate on, is presently preoccupied with the issue of incessant bombings in the country. The problem of kidnapping was one that really dealt a death blow in the country, especially, considering the case of the Niger Delta. But comparing that to the on-going terrorist activities in the country, we begin to understand that the later is nothing compared to the former. The Boko Haram acts have disrupted the social, economic, political, religious and environmental activities and President Goodluck Jonathans transformational agenda in the country. This becomes very relevant when considering the outfits that are prone to attacks by the sect which include, recreational centers, office complex, social gatherings, beer parlors, buildings etc. THE EFFECT ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Nigeria is a country endowed with natural and material resources, all competing favourably with one another in securing a big chunk of foreign exchange earnings for the country in the early 60s, the discovery of oil and the unprecedented wealth accrued from it in the 70s, soon emerge Nigeria as a major foreign exchange earner, inspite of all the national and mineral resources which the country is endowed with which the country is endowed, the country has virtually become a battle field where incessant ethno- religious and political crisis are staged. The implication of the crisis on the economic development is that, the instruments which is supposed to be used for sustainable development, is conversely being used for destruction and vandalization purposes. (Mohammed 2002).Since no economic development could take place in an atmosphere of fear, anarchy and insecurity. It therefore implies that Boko Haram menace are bane to economic development, looking at it internationally, Boko Haram crisis has added to the fear of foreign investors that are in Nigeria. Abonyi (2006), cases of kidnapping of expatriates in Nigeria are no more news. One wonders how foreign investors could decide to establish firms in the war zone. These crisis have also made investors to IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 49 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." flee the nation’s troubled sport particularly Plateau State. Also neighbouring states have had their economies disrupted by the influx of the crisis. The greatest of these scenarios is the amount of funds being diverted to security issues and related matters. The irony is that while the country is striving towards capacity building, the Boko Haram insurgency is crumbling all the efforts. (Leadership Newspaper 2012). THE EFFECT ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT The effect of Boko Haram crisis on the social development is that it creates more hatred between social groups in the north which would have united together to form a social conscious society. Also it increases lacuna in the interactions of social groups. A member of a social group might join Boko Haram sect, and this will cause a very big problem, because the person that joined might reveal the secret of the social group. According to Imam (2004) education is very vital in attaining social development. The nation have been striving to put in place amenities for the purpose of elevating the educational standard of the country. This is, however hampered by incessant closure of schools and institutions in the northern part of the country. Many schools had been burnt down while many were forced to close down for months (University of Maiduguri) which in effect made the interactions of the youths impossible and created a very bad opportunity for parents of different ethnic groups to withdraw their children from school. THE EFFECT ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT The implication of the Boko Haram crisis on political development is that Igbo’s was sidelined in the political scene, since after Independence no Igbo man has become the President of Nigeria and this has created a wide gap between the Igbo’s and the northerners in the political system, the northerners now wants to monopolize power because they believe that the west is a corrupting influence in governance (Afolabi: 2006).The Boko Haram crisis also affected former President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformational agenda. Goodluck during his electioneering campaign assured Nigerians of his IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 50 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." administration’s readiness to transform the country, and when he was finally inaugurated, a violent group in the Northeast that was not interested in the transformation came up and decided to be a log in the wheel of journey, by unleashing and causing instability in the country with the obvious intention of diverting attention from the transformational agenda of the president. This to a very large extent has worked verywell for this violent group. Instead of giving full attention to the transformational agenda, the Federal Government spent more time trying to solve the insurgency of Boko Haram. THE EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT The emissions into air occasioned by the bomb blast carrying toxic substance pollutes the air and makes it so unhealthy for human and animals to breath. The air pollution also results in global warming which retards plants development and causes hotness of the weather. Instances abound where at the time of the bombing, the atmosphere is covered with smoke and motorists and passerby finds it so difficult to find their way. This has resulted to multiple accidents when people struggle to run for their dear lives. (Ejeh, 2010). SERIES OF BOKO HARAM VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA The table below depicts series of violence being perpetuated by Boko Haram sect in Northern Nigeria between July 2009 to April 2017. S/N Date States Nature of Attack Causalities 1. July 27, 2009 Yobe Attack on Potiskum, Yobe State’s Divisional Police headquarters. Three Police men and 5 service officers died. 2. January 2010 Borno The group struck in Dela Alemderi ward in Maiduguri metropolis Four people were killed. 3. October 1, 2010 Abuja Explosion near the eagle square, Abuja Claimed 12 lives, leaving many injured. 4. December 24, 2010 Plateau A bomb attack in BarkinLadi Jos Killed eight people 5. April 8, 2011 Niger Bomb blast, at INEC office in Suleja, at Niger State. Claimed of lives of 8 corps members and a suicide bomber. 6. April 29, 2011 Bauchi Army barracks in Bauchi bombed. 7. May 30, 2011 Borno Bomb exploded in Bega road in Claimed five lives and IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 51 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." Maiduguri, Borno State. several others injured. 8. August 26, 2011 Abuja Bombing of the United Nations (UN) House in Abuja. Twenty three (23) persons were killed and 129 others injured. 9. December 25, 2011 Niger Multiple bomb explosion at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla Suleja Killed dozens including 35 worshippers. 10. January 20, 2012 Kano Multiple attacks in Kano About 250 people killed. 11. April 8, 2012 Kaduna Bomb explosion in a church on Easter Sunday 38 People killed. 12. September 20, 2013 Borno Boko Haram sect made high way Armbush 142 Corpses evacuated from bushes. 13. January 3, 2015 Borno Boko Haram militants raze the entire town of Baga in North-east Nigeria. Borno State. Over 2000 people were killed. 14. March 2, 2015 Borno State Boko Haram militants disguised as herdsmen were killed near Konduga town in Borno State. 73 Boko Haram terrorist were killed. 15. June 22, 2015 Maiduguri Two female suicide bombers invaded a crowded mosque and bombed the mosque to mark the start of Ramadan About 30 people were killed. 16. 30 January 2016 Maiduguri Bomb blast in Dalori village 86 People were killed and at least 62 injured. 17. 21, April 2017 Borno Attack on the Nigerian military base in Sabon Gari 86 People were killed and at least 62 injured. 18. January 8, 2017 Borno Attack on Nigerian soldiers. At least 3 Nigerian soldiers were killed and 5 injured. Source: Extracted from various Newspapers GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TOWARDS RESOLVING THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY 1. DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY In an obvious move to reassure Nigerians of their security after the gruesome murder of no fewer than 40 people through suicide bombing of Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, last six Christmas, Goodluck Jonathan, in his new year broadcast to the nation, declared a state of emergency in 15 Local Government Areas spread across four Northern States of Borno, Niger, Plateau and Yobe. (Broad Street Journal, 2012:41). IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 52 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." The former president said the declaration of the state of emergency was part of the government’s effort to “restore normalcy in the country”. International borders in the affected local government were ordered close to prevent cross border terrorism and stop the terrorist from escaping outside the country. (Vanguard, 2011). 2. FORMATION OF DIALOGUE Former President Goodluck Jonathan had said that the federal government would dialogue with the violent sect, if the members would identify themselves and state clearly their demands as a basis for talks, while acknowledging that military confrontation alone will not end their insurgency. This was the third time the Nigerian authorities were asking the sect for a dialogue. The first time was in June when police in Maiduguri called on an extremist Islamic sect to declare a cease fire and come to a dialogue. (Clement, 2012). 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT TASK FORCE According to Vanguard Newspaper (June 17, 2011), the federal government had directed the immediate establishment of a special joint military task force specially to tackle the Boko Haram crises in the North with Maiduguri in Borno State as headquarters of the task force. The task force to be headed by a Major General of the Armored Corps would comprise of the Nigeria Army, Navy, Nigerian Airforce, Nigeria Police Force, Defence Intelligence Agency and the Department of State Security, S.S.S. (NBF News, 2012). IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 53 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Table.1 Population Distribution Table States Population of the State Percentage (%) Borno 3,151,193 14 Adamawa 6,066,562 26 Kano 9,383,682 40 Plateau 3,178,712 14 Federal Capital Territory, Abuja 1,405,201 6 Total 23,185,350 100 Source: National Population Commission (NPC) DATA ANALYSIS ANALYSIS OF QUESTIONNAIRE Section A Demographic Data This section comprises of Age, sex, marital status, educational qualifications, occupation, location, administrative status and electoral status. Table 1: Age Range Options Frequency Percentage (%) 18 – 25 50 14.6 26 – 32 65 19.1 33 – 40 89 26.2 40 – 46 92 27.0 47 and above 44 12.9 Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 The above table reveals that 14.7% of respondents falls within the age (18-25), 19.1% falls within age (26-32), 26.2% falls within (33-40) 27.0% within (40-46) and 12.9% falls within 47 and above. IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 54 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." Table 2: Gender Options Frequency Percentage (%) Male 280 82.4% Female 60 17.6% Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 The above table reveals that 82.4% of the respondents are males while 17.6% of the respondents are female. Table 3: Marital Status Options Frequency Percentage (%) Married 202 59.4% Single 100 29.4% Divorced 38 11.2% Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 From the above table, 59.4% of the respondents were married, 29.4% of the respondents were single while 11.2% were divorced. Table 4: Educational Qualification Options Frequency Percentage (%) Ph.D 30 8.8% Masters 60 17% B.Sc 120 35.3% HND/OND 60 17.7% NCE/Post NCE 40 11.8% WASSCE 30 8.8% Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 The above table reveals that 8.8% of respondents are Ph.D holders, 17.7% are Masters holders, 35.3% B.Sc holders, 17.7% HND/OND holders, 11.8% are NCE holders and 8.8% of respondents are WASSCE holders. IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 55 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." Table 5: Location Options Frequency Percentage (%) North 150 44.1 South 40 11.8 East 80 23.5 West 70 20.6 Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 From the above table, 44.1% of respondents were from the North, 11.8% were from the south, 23.5% were from the East and 20.6% of respondents were from the West. Table 6: Civil Service Officer/Administrative Staff Options Frequency Percentage (%) Yes 200 58.8% No 140 41.2% Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 The above table reveals that 58.8% percent of respondents are civil servants while 41.2% are not civil service officers. Table 7: Are you an elected officer? Options Frequency Percentage (%) Yes 105 30.8% No 235 69.11% Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 From the table above, 30.8% of the respondents are elected officers while 69.11% are elected officers. RESEARCH QUESTION 1 Is there really Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria. Respondents View Options Frequency Percentage (%) Yes 340 100% No 0 0.0% Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 56 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." The above table reveals that 340 respondents representing 100% were all aware of the Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. From the returned questionnaire, 340 respondents gave their response positively, on the contrary, none of them answered no. The 340 respondents were able to identify the attacks caused by Boko Haram sect in Nigeria and they equally mentioned how the Boko Haram crisis came about.Therefore, there is Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. RESEARCH QUESTION 1 If yes, where have they occurred? S/N Options Number of Respondents Percentage (%) a. South-South 0 0.0% b. South-East 0 0.0% c. South-West 0 0.0 d. North-East 328 96.5 e. No-Idea 12 3.5 Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 The above table shows that 328 respondents accepted the view that Boko Haram have occurred mostly in the North Eastern region of Nigeria while 12 respondents did not have an idea of where they have occurred. RESEARCH QUESTION 2 What are the remote and immediate causes of Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria? S/N Options Number of Respondents Percentage (%) a. Political power 50 14.7 b. 2011 election result 68 20 c. Imposition of Sharia law 200 8 d. Western education 12 3.5 e. All of the above 10 2.9 Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 The above table reveals that 50 respondents viewed that political power is the remote and immediate causes of the crisis, while 65 respondent viewed that 2011 election result is the remote IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 57 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." and immediate excuse of Boko Haram 210 respondents viewed the imposition of Sharia Law as the remote and immediate cause of Boko Haram terrorism, 12 respondents are of the opinion that western education is the remote and immediate cause of Boko Haram terrorism. Meanwhile 10 respondents believed that all the options provided are the remote and immediate causes of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria RESEARCH QUESTION 3 What are the socio-political and religious impact of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria? S/N Options Number of Respondents Percentage (%) a. Break down of law and order 17 5 b. Increase in crimes 43 12.6 c. Civil Disturbance 38 11.2 d. Affected President Goodluck Jonathan 100 29.11 e. All of the above 142 41.8 Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 The data collected shows that 5% of the respondents identified breakdown of laws and order as the socio-political and religious. Impact of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria, while 43 respondents which represent 12.6% identified increase in crimes, 35 respondents of 11.2% identified civil disturbance, 100 respondents of 29.4% identified that the crisis affected President Goodluck Jonathan transformational Agenda, 142 respondents of 41.8% agreed that all the options been given are the socio-political and religious impact of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. RESEARCH QUESTION 3a What effect have this implications on national unity and the people? S/N Options Number of Respondents Percentage (%) a. Positive 0 0.0 b. Negative 340 100 c. No Idea 0 0 Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 58 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." This table reveals that 340 respondents are of the view that the implication of Boko Haram have affected the people negatively and has led to disintegration of national unity, thereby, causing mass migration from the North to other geo-political zones in Nigeria. RESEARCH QUESTION 4 What suggestions can you give to the federal government to help tackle Boko Haram terrorism? S/N Options Number of Respondents Percentage (%) a. Dialogue 66 19.4 b. Force/coercion 241 70.9 c. Amnesty 23 6.8 d. No Idea 10 2.8 Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 The table above shows that 66 respondents are of the view that government can tackle the crisis through the formation of Dialogue. While 241 respondents accepted the view that the government can tackle the crisis through the use of force or coercion. 23 respondents were of the view that the federal government can tackle the Boko Haram crisis through amnesty 10 respondents had no suggestion. RESEARCH QUESTION 4a Has the government taken the right steps in order to resolve the Boko Haram menace? S/N Options Number of Respondents Percentage (%) a. Yes 54 15.9 b. No 265 77.9 c. No Idea 21 6.2 Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 The table above shows that 54 respondents were of the view that the government has taken the right steps in order to resolve the Boko Haram menace while 265 respondents representing 77.91% were of the view that the government has not taken the necessary steps towards resolving Boko Haram menace. IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 59 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." RESEARCH QUESTION 5 What is the position of government in the management, prevention and resolution of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria? S/N Options Number of Respondents Percentage (%) a. Provisions of essential materials for the displaced victims 82 24.1 b. Peace keeping by law enforcement agents. 54 15.9 c. Provision and establishment of Almajiri institution 191 56.2 d. No idea 13 3.8 Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 The table shows that 82 respondents represent 24.1% were of the view that provision of essential materials for the displaced victims is the position of government in the management, prevention and resolution of Boko Haram terrorism. In Nigeria, 34 respondents representing 15.9% view peace keeping by law enforcement agents as the position of government and 191 respondents representing 56.2% viewed the position of government in management, prevention, and resolution of Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria is by provision and establishment of Almajiri institution. 13 respondents representing 3.8% had no idea on the position of government in the management, prevention and resolution of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. RESEARCH QUESTION 6 How can the Nigerian citizens help to tackle Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria? S/N Options Number of Respondents Percentage (%) a. Giving information to the police 80 25.5 b. Imams should preach against violence 60 17.6 c. Proper check of immigrants by immigration officers 50 14.7 d. All of the above 150 44.1 Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 60 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." RESEARCH QUESTION 7 Has the Nigerian citizens helped the federal government in tackling Boko Haram terrorism? S/N Options Number of Respondents Percentage (%) a. Yes 0 0.0 b. No 340 100 Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 The above table shows that 340 respondents representing 100% were aware of the fact that Nigerian citizens have not been of help to the federal government in tackling Boko Haram terrorism. RESEARCH QUESTION 8 What is your feeling concerning Boko Haram terrorism? S/N Options Number of Respondents Percentage (%) a. Good 0 0.0 b. Sad / bad 340 100 c. Neutral 0 0.0 Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 The table above shows that 340 respondents were aware of Boko Haram crisis in the country and felt sad/bad because of the loss of lives and properties in the Northern region of Nigeria. RESEARCH QUESTION 9 Is Boko Haram a regional religious sect? S/N Options Number of Respondents Percentage (%) a. Yes 300 88.2 b. No 40 11.8 Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 The table above shows that 300 respondents are of the view that Boko Haram is a religious sect while 40 respondents are of the view that Boko Haram is not a regional religious sect. IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 61 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." RESEARCH QUESTION 10 Has Boko Haram insurgence affected the Development of Nigeria? S/N Options Number of Respondents Percentage (%) a. Yes 330 97.1 b. No 10 2.9 Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 The table above shows that 340 respondents agreed to the fact that Boko Haram insurgence affects the development of Nigeria. RESEARCH QUESTION 11 Boko Haram terrorism has led to loss of revenue and seeming disunity in Nigeria. True or False S/N Options Number of Respondents Percentage (%) a. True 300 88.2 b. False 40 11.8 Total 340 100 Source: Field Survey 2017 The above table shows that 300 respondents agreed that Boko Haram has led to loss of revenue and seeming disunity in Nigeria. TESTING OF HYPOTHESIS I. Boko Haram insurgence affects the development of Nigeria. To test the above hypothesis, data obtained from table 10 will be used. Options Number of Respondents Yes 330 No 10 Total 340 Oi Ei Oi – Ei (Oi – Ei)2 (Oi – Ei)2 ei Yes 330 170 160 25600 150.59 No 10 170 -160 25600 150.59 340 301.18 X2 = 301.18 df = C – 1 = 2 – 1 = 1, P < 0.5 IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 62 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." Interpretation Since obtained value is greater than critical value at 0.5 level of significance, then the hypothesis which states that Boko Haram insurgence affects the development of Nigeria is accepted. HYPOTHESIS 2 Boko Haram is a regional religious sect. To test the above hypothesis, data obtained from table 9 will be used. Options Number of Respondents Yes 300 No 40 Total 340 Oi Ei Oi – Ei (Oi – Ei)2 (Oi – Ei)2 ei Yes 300 170 130 16,900 99.4 No 40 170 -130 16,900 99.4 340 198.8 X2 = 198.8 df = C – 1 = 2 – 1 = 1, P < 0.5 Interpretation Since obtained value is greater than critical value at 0.5 level of significance, then the hypothesis which stated that Boko Haram is a regional religious sect is accepted. IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 63 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." HYPOTHESIS 3 Boko Haram terrorism has led to loss of revenue and seeming disunity in Nigeria. To test the above hypothesis, data obtained from table 11 will be used. Options Number of Respondents True 330 False 40 Total 340 Oi Ei Oi – Ei (Oi – Ei)2 (Oi – Ei)2 ei True 300 170 130 16,900 99.4 False 40 170 -130 16,900 99.4 340 198.8 X2 = 198.8 df = C – 1 = 2 – 1 = 1, P < 0.5 Interpretation Since obtained value is greater than critical value at 0.5 level of significance, then the hypothesis which states that Boko Haram terrorism has led to loss of revenue and seeming disunity in Nigeria is accepted. DATA DISCUSSION The study was to ascertain the impact of Boko Haram terrorism on national development.A total of 400 sample size were 400 copies of questionnaires were distributed, but only 360 copies were returned. Considering the application of chi-square in the test of hypothesis one, it was discovered that calculated X2 value (301.18) is greater than critical value at 0.5 level of significance, thus leading to the acceptance of the alternate hypothesis which states that Boko Haram insurgence affects the development of Nigeria. Taking into account the application of chi-square in testing the second hypothesis, it was discovered that calculated X2 value (198.8) is greater than critical value at 0.5 level of IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 64 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." significance, thus leading to the acceptance of the alternative hypothesis which states that Boko Haram is a regional religious sect. Lastly, is testing the third hypothesis which states that Boko Haram terrorism has led to loss of revenue and seeming disunity in Nigeria, chi-square was applied and it was discovered that the calculated X2 value (198.8) is greater than critical value at 0.5 level of significance, thus leading to the acceptance of the Hi (alternate) hypothesis which state that Boko Haram terrorism has led to loss of revenue and seeming disunity in Nigeria. CONCLUSION The activities of Boko Haram have heightened serious fears among the Nigerian populace, especially those in the Northern part of Nigeria. The trend has led to loss of lives and property. Business ventures and shops have remained closed. Boko Haram terrorists have succeeded in instilling fear and hatred among the people. Boko Haram insurgency represents the worst threat to Nigeria’s peace, security, and stability. Boko Haram phenomenon can be attributed to the failure of the Nigerian government to provide basic services to the teeming population in the country. Though this cannot be the justification for armed insurrection and violence. The threat posed by the zealots has negatively impacted Nigeria’s polity, jeopardizing its social political and economic development. The major aspiration of the sect, is to destroy Nigeria’s democratic institutions and to enthrone Islamic Sharia rule rather than its existing secular system. Compelled by the spate of violence and the impunity with which the Boko Haram has been ravaging the North, the federal government responded by mobilizing its security forces to tackle the menace. Though the sect has shown resilience, the federal government is daily improving its counter-terrorism measures to the effect that the activities of the sect are now restricted to only three states in the North, namely: Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. Through the combined efforts of the troops from Chad, Cameroon, Niger, the Nigeria army its having upper hand in the war against the insurgents. Many of the Boko Haram captives including women and children have been rescued from Sambisa forest, the den of Boko Haram in Borno State. RECOMMENDATIONS The study made the following recommendations the following for effective resolution of Boko Haram terrorism, as its dislodgement will encourage rapid development in the country. IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 65 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." 1. Government should not adopt the Niger Delta solution, that is, amnesty to Boko Haram because up till date, nobody can evidently say that these are Boko Haram members. The government cannot grant amnesty to people that are up till now operating invisibly. 2. We strongly recommend in this study that the federal government should provide funds, instead of amnesty, to help upgrade and switch its intelligence gathering gadgets. It was easy for Osama Bin Ladinto evade American intelligence for so long because Osama decided to deny himself the luxury of technology. In fact, he lived a life of a hermit. But from what we know so far, these Boko Haram people enjoy all these technological packs with impunity knowing that our intelligence gathering techniques is so archaic that our security agencies only believe in toting guns around government officials. If only the government and the security officials have the needed facility to intercept mails and many other electronic means of communication. 3. Again to overcome the menace of Boko Haram in the country, the government should do whatever it can to find out how this movement is funded. Who are their funders? If the government is able to do this, the government will have gone an extra-mile in solving the Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria long time ago. 4. Similarly, since the government under former President Goodluck Jonathan decided to adopt the carrot and stick approach, we recommend that government should please exhaust all the available options within the stick, no matter how long it takes. This is because the inclusion of the carrot at this stage shows a great weakness on the part of government. 5. The federal government on its part should make adequate legislative pronouncements that will discourage and close down all forms of ethnic based movements. The reason for the recommendation is that these groups threaten the sovereignty of the nation as they tend to be loyal to their ethnic groups. IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 66 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1* https://ijojournals.com/ Volume 08 || Issue 08 || August, 2025 || “Agitations for Resource Control by the Niger-Delta Region." References Abdullihi A. (1991). Leading Issues in Economic Development and Social Welfare, Kano: Samarib Publishers. Abdulli A.A. et al (2005). Combating Political Violence in Nigeria: Issues, Prospect and Problems. Ilorin: Hamson Printing Communication. Imam, Y.O. (2004). Religious Crisis and Social Disruption in Northern Nigeria. Ibadan: Lovel Books Publishers. Mohammed, I.Z. (2002). The Concept of Economic Growth and Development. Kano: Samarib Publishers. Ojukwu, C.C. (2009). Terrorism, Foreign Policy and Human Right Concern in Nigeria. Abakiliki: Willy Publishing Company. Osuala, E.C. (2005). Introduction to Research Methodology. Enugu: AFP First Publisher Limited. Shehu, S. (2007). The Killing Fields, Religious Violence in Northern Nigeria. Ibadan: Spectrum Book Limited. Taro Yamani (1964). Statistic: An Introductory Analysis. (3rd Edition). New York: Harper and Row Publishing Limited. Umar, S. (2011). The Discourses of Salafi Radicalism and Salafi Counter-Radicatism in Nigeria. Kano: Evanston Publishers. Walker, A. (2012). What is Boko Haram? United State Institute of Peace Retrieved. 2013 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamist Insurgency in Nigeria. IJO JOURNALS Volume 08 | Issue 08 | August 2025 | https://ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 67 IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 ) Dr.Gbenemene Kpae1*