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Summary: As the world tilts towards becoming a global village, the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has raised the question of the readiness of countries to curb the threats of cyber terrorism to human security. Boko Haram being the deadliest terrorist group in the country has consistently employed the use of cyberspace to raise funds, coordinate operations, spread propaganda, seek international collaborations, recruit members and promote its ideology. While this continues to raise concerns, the Nigerian government has not given adequate attention to the war against cyber terrorism and this has worsened the state of security and or national security. it is worthy of note that cyber terrorism has come to stay as long as the ICT continues to thrive, however, adopting measures such as implementing international best practices for cybersecurity, criminalization of terror attacks, adequate equipment of the security agencies and political will would make a difference in the fight against cyber terrorism.
Abstract
The development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) due to Internet connectivity has called
to question the preparedness of nations to curb cyber terrorism and the effects on human security. Boko Haram
emerged as one of the deadliest terrorist groups globally. The paper investigated the Nigeria’s efforts in
checkmating cyber terrorism, the implication on human security and the inherent challenges associated. The
paper employed descriptive research and qualitative method while secondary sources of data were adopted. The
study found that cyber terrorism as employed by Boko Haram was deployed in raising fund, propaganda,
coordinating operation, international collaboration, recruitment and training of its members. In addition, the
Nigerian government has not given sufficient attention to war against cyber terrorism and this has complicated
human security provisioning particularly in the North-East Nigeria. This study concluded that cyber terrorism
has come to stay as long as development in ICT cannot exclude the terrorists and the prevalence of fear of attack
and the destruction of lives and property facilitated by Internet have devastating effects on human security. This
paper recommended the criminalization of terror attacks, adequate equipment of the security agencies and
political will to tackle societal ills.
Introduction
The world is increasingly becoming a global village. This is facilitated by the interconnectedness and
interdependence among nations through the internet. The internet is linked with the aid of information and
communication technology. By January 2019, the global internet user stood at 4.39 billion (Global Digital
Overview, 2019) out of the world’s population of 7,519,028,970. This makes the internet one of the fastest
growing technologies of our time (Orngu, 2014; Lynch, 2011; Rogers, 2003). It is imperative to appreciate that
the global system is deeply relying on cyber technology in all aspects of human life and it has become
indispensable (Legris, Ingham, & Collerette, 2003). The cyberspace is open to all. More so, the advent of cyber
as a weapon of warfare is rapidly gaining momentum not only in Nigeria but globally. Terrorists now employ it
to monitor individuals, governments and security networks as well as to attack institutional or governmental
facilities (Ntamu, 2014; Onuoha, 2011; Yar, 2006).
Beyond the traditional and conventional style of terrorist activism, the violent rise of the jihadist group Boko
Haram in Nigeria’s Northeast region has now dominated policy debates among academics and policymakers not
only in Africa but beyond. Boko Haram membership which prefers to be called by the Arabic name Jama’atu
Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, meaning “People of the Sunnah (the practice and examples of the Prophet
Muhammad’s life) for Preaching and Jihad Group” is believed to be founded by Mohammed Yusuf in the town of
Maiduguri, Northeast Nigeria in 2002. It has since 2015 transformed to become one of the deadliest terrorist
groups globally (Global Terrorism Index, 2016). Boko Haram which is a combination of two Hausa words boko
meaning Western education/civilization and haram meaning sin or forbidden. Thus combined means western
civilization is forbidden. It is also believed that the membership of over 500,000 people who were generally
disgruntled with the situation in Nigeria especially the configuration of the political and economic structure were
taxed one Naira daily to sustain their ideology (Adibe, 2013).
The Nigerian government had claimed decimating the Boko Haram sect, but the reality is that warfare of the 21st
century has gone from hardware to software. The group has strategized to using not only physical weapons of
warfare but unconventional tactics to cramp the government. Beyond throwing bombs, taking hostages and
crossing borders they now target critical national infrastructure by attacking the cyber security of Nigeria. Their
adoption of cyber technology for technology integrated intelligence through the use of ICT devices such as
computer, internet, mobile phone, Close Circuit Television, surveillance camera, social network, biometric
surveillance, data mining, satellite imagery, IP devices and other technologically driven weapons is believed to
have aided their collaborative efforts with others like Al Shaba of Sudan, ISIS and al Qaeda to unleash terror on
citizens not only in northern Nigeria but also to the neighboring Chad, Niger and Cameroon (Adam, Osah, &
Alao, 2019; Jacob & Akpan, 2015; Obayuwana, 2011; Osho, Adesuyi, & Shafi’l, 2013). This is what Aladenusi
(2015) calls ‘cyberharam’.
The integration of technology in the operational plan of Boko Haram has by no means aided their striking power
and assisted them in the exchange of information, recruitment, ideological propagations, training and finances
through electronic transfers. In addition, it has occasioned traumatic experiences on the part of the citizenry and
the general belief that the government has been incapable to curtail them. This explains why Arimatéia da Cruz
(2013) noted that apart from using internet to launch cyber-attacks against countries, terrorists possess the
capacity to engage in “hacktivism,” which is described as strategy of merging hacking and activism. The
implication is that the seven dimensions of human security namely economic, food, health, environmental,
personal, community and political as established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in
1994 might be difficult to attain as a result of terrorism by 2030 being the set target of the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) if nothing urgent is done to reverse the trend. This informs the study to examine the
state of Nigeria’s preparedness in coping with cyber terrorism and to determine the effects of cyber terrorism on
human insecurity in Nigeria and the challenges of checkmating the menace. The paper adopted a descriptive
research design that is qualitative in nature.
Challenge of Cyber Terrorism and Cyber Insecurity
As earlier enunciated, the revolution in the field of information technology and the popularization of usage of
internet services has aided the ease of doing business globally and closing communication gaps among
individuals and nations. According to Urbas and Choo (2008) the technology driving telecommunications was
invented in 1837. They also averred that the first record of criminal usage of such technology was around 1867.
This was corroborated by Grabosky & Smith (1998) who recorded cases of illegal interception. Today, the use of
laptops, I-pads and computers have become imperative in respect to the operation of all organizations. The
cyberspace is open to all users. Thus there is no limitation and barrier as to who goes in and out.
The National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace (2003) says cyberspace is “the nervous system of the nation’s
infrastructure and it is comprised of hundreds of thousands of interconnected computers, servers, routers,
switches, and fiber optic cables that make our critical infrastructure work”. It is the interconnectivity provided in
the cyberspace that allows end users of internet services to operate successfully and this is the facilities that
criminal elements exploit to perpetrate their nefarious activities. Criminally minded persons have taken
advantage to engage in cybercrimes. Cybercrimes constitute some of the fastest growing crimes globally and it
embraces huge number of criminal activities such as financial fraud, computer hacking, downloading of
pornographic images from the internet, virus attacks, stalking and creating websites that promote hatred (Erhabor,
2008). In very simple form, cybercrimes are crimes that are mediated by networked technology (Wall, 2007).
Section 18 (1) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 clearly states that “any person that accesses or causes to be accessed
any computer or computer systems or network for purposes of terrorism, commits an offence and is liable on
conviction to life imprisonment”. Unfortunately, clients often fall victim of fraudsters or criminals. According to
the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (2019) since 2016, there have been growing concerns about
cybersecurity risks to the financial system prompting the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors to
warn in March 2017 that “the malicious use of Information and Communication Technologies could . . .
undermine security and confidence and endanger financial stability.”
Cyber terrorism is a product of cyber technology and an aspect of cybercrime. Cyber terrorism is a
conglomeration of cybermetrics and terrorism. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in a 2014 report,
stated that cyber terrorism as the premeditated, politically motivated attack against information, computer
systems, computer programs, and data which result systems, computer programs and data which in violence
against non-combatant targets by sub-national groups and clandestine agents. Terrorists among other criminals
can therefore exploit organizations’ exposure to perpetrate atrocity. As good as internet development is to
mankind; such facilities are often adopted by criminal elements to perpetrate atrocity.
Cyber terrorism thus is seen as the illegal use of computer or computer network to deliberately harm, damage,
unduly compel, seriously intimidate, destabilize or coerce a government or international organization to do or
refrain from doing a particular thing in furtherance of the terrorist’s socio-economic, political or religious agenda.
In this vein, Wall (2008) opined that cyber terrorism is:
Criminal or harmful activities that are informational, global, and networked. They are the product of
networked technologies that have transformed the division of criminal labor to provide entirely new
opportunities for, and indeed, new forms of crime which typically involves the acquisition or manipulation
of information and its value across global networks.
Similarly, Tehrani, Manap, and Taji, (2013) noted that cyber terrorism means unlawful attacks and threats of
attacks against computers, networks, and the information stored therein when done to intimidate or coerce a
government or its people in furtherance of political and social objectives. It is also important to perceive cyber
terrorism as an international crime as this will have implication on procedure or strategy that can be adopted to
checkmate it.
The United Nations Office for Drug and Crime (UNODC) 2012 divides cyber terrorism into six areas, namely;
propaganda, financing, training, planning, execution and cyber-attack. Thus, the protection of the cyberspace is
necessary. The major objective of cybersecurity therefore includes: protection of system/networks against
unauthorized access and data alteration from within; and defense against intrusion from without. Cyber security
in effect comprises technologies, processes and controls that are designed to protect systems, networks and data
from cyber-attacks. Increased consciousness was reawakened after 9/11 and the vulnerability of the global
system.
Security, like many other terms is difficulty to define in a generally acceptable manner and Baldwin, (1997)
views it as essentially contested concept. The traditional understanding of security based on realist perspective
(Chandele, 2012; Ulman, 1983; Walt, 1991) views it as “a freedom from any objective military threat to the state
survival in an anarchic international system”. The widener school of thought that prominently featured Buzan
moved horizontally from purely military conception to political, economic, societal and environmental sectors
while vertically to accommodate humanity in general. Hence according to Buzan (1991), security is pursuit of
freedom from threats. In effect, freedom from Boko Haram and others threats constitute security. Human security
therefore assume wider meaning with the UNDP (1994) position and the objective as defined is to safeguard the
vital core of all human lives from critical pervasive threats, in a way that is consistent with long-term human
fulfillment. It is therefore people centered, all-encompassing consisting of elements such as food, health,
political, economic, individual, community and environmental security.
The Nigeria Communication Commission (2017) reported that the Nigeria lost about N127 Billion to cybercrime
in 2015 alone. Thus, making Nigeria the 3rd highest globally. It is pertinent to appreciate that most of the
cyber-attacks are automated and indiscriminate but exploit the likely vulnerability or exposure of individuals or
organizations. The implication for this paper is that the criminality of Boko Haram leading to loss of thousands
of live, internally displaced figure rising to 3.3 million and the general traumatic experiences by the citizenry in
Nigeria constituted in no small way threat to human security.
Theoretical Framework
The paper adopts two theoretical frameworks to underpin the work. These are Technology-Enabled Crime and
Risk Society Theory.
3.1 Technology-Enabled Crime
McQuade (2006) is one of the scholars that emphasize the relevance of Technology-Enabled Crime theory with
the growth in telecommunication industry. He notes that it encompasses such crimes committed directly against
computers and computer systems which are often referred to as high tech crime, computer crimes or cybercrimes.
He reasons that the use of Internet or technology helps to facilitate the commission of traditional crimes and it
can take the form of fraud, scams, threat and harassment which introduces multidimensional challenges to
overcoming old crimes.
In effect, Technology-Enabled Crime theory is an amalgam of criminological theories to enhance the societal
understanding why crimes associated with computer and telecommunication technologies have become
increasingly difficult to prevent, investigate and control (Essays, UK. November 2013). This is based on the
understanding that criminal behavior might be very difficult to explain by a single theory and why Patchin and
Hinduja (2011) focus on the utility of low self-control theory and strain theory. Grabosky & Smith (1998) listed
some of the telecommunication crimes emerging of recent to include: illegal interception of telecommunications,
electronic vandalism and terrorism stealing communications services, telecommunications piracy, pornography
and other offensive content, telemarketing fraud, electronic funds transfer crime, and electronic money
laundering.
In addition, McQuade (1998) observes that to understand and maintain complex crime is usually difficult
particularly at onset as there is tendency for challenges associated with periodic competition between the
criminals and security agencies for technological edge. This implies that the criminal elements will always
attempt to innovate in their criminal tendencies while the security agencies will also attempt to decode and deter
new form of crimes. The theory is applicable to this paper as terrorists now adopt information technology in
raising fund, mobilize supporters or recruit, plan attack and monitor security agencies as to present the
government incapable of handling the situation. This weakens citizenry moral support for government and the
resolve of the security agencies striving to curb terrorist criminalities. Hence, while technological development
has more advantages than disadvantages, the theory points to the threats posed by emerging forms of cybercrime,
transnational crime and terrorist networks that defy traditional methods of criminal justice and security measures
for preventing and controlling crimes. It therefore provides insight into understanding the new tools and
techniques used by cybercriminals particularly the terrorists in this regards. It also provides insight into huge
resources provided for security at the expense of human security provision beyond military hardware
technologies. This explains why Cruz (2013) notes that though social, economic and political transformations are
taking place with the advancement of the internet in the last two decades, it has led to the “end of geography, as
geographic borders separating nations has become nebulous and porous with the advancement of the
informational society.
3.2 Risk Society Theory
The Risk Society theory was popularized by Beck (1992:21) and it was associated with a movement from
traditional to industrial society and towards a new modern risk society which often is individual, global and
self-confrontational. A risk society is viewed as a systematic way of dealing with hazards and insecurities
induced and introduced by modernization itself. The theory notes that considering the nature of modern societies,
risk has the tendency to multiply with the increasing complexities of societal system of production, consumption,
governance and technological control (Jonathan, Nick, & George, 2004). This led Beck (1992) to assert that in
modern society, risk is on increase due to technological and scientific discovery more than what technological
progress is abating. This was made possible due to the revolution in the field of Internet and the increasing usage
of mobile devices that facilitated instant messaging, electronic business transactions, banking and learning
among others globally as this has made the world become a global village. This is made easy as millions of
people globally are connected to computer and other potable electronic devices at the same time and hawking,
fraud, scaring pictures and terrorist activities can simultaneously be perpetrated.
This theory is applicable to this paper as criminals under any guise, insurgents, thieves, kidnappers and terrorist
groups equally like innocent and honest users adequately and successfully used the Internet to demonstrate their
capabilities, strike fear, and conduct their nefarious operations in recent times. Indeed, the ease of internet usage
cannot but help the terrorist to communicate with one another, share experiences, direct operations, recruitment
of foot soldiers, raise and transfer funds. The implication therefore is that the wrong use to which internet
facilities have been deployed is increasing the risk level in the global system and constitute threat to human
security.
Interrogating the Linkage between Boko Haram and Cyber Terrorism
Cybercriminals are relentlessly investigating and developing new methods to perpetrate their goals and by
implication, cyber terrorists such as Boko Haram are not left in the trade. A pertinent feature in cyber terrorism is
their avowed commitment to be a step ahead of other internet users inclusive of governments and security
agencies so that it might be difficult to pin down their activities. Makatiani, (2016:8) was right to have observed
that the use of E- services is expanding in Nigeria and services offered range from online shopping, filling tax
returns, cashless policy introduction and the use of Bank Verification Number (BVN).
Goodman (2008) further noted strategies adopted by terrorists enabled by Internet which included promoting
ideologies and ideas, fund raising, transfer of money, propaganda, and recruitment of members. Others include
launching of real and imaginary threat or attacks, exchange of communication among fellow terrorists, training
and collection of operational information, booking and ordering supplies among others. The implication is that
these platforms provided opportunities apart from legal transactions facilitated by Internet but also for
cybercriminals and/or cyber terrorist to flourish. This was demonstrated in Jacobson (2009) (U.S.A. v. Babar
Ahmad, “Affidavit in Support of Request for Extradition of Babar in 2004) that Babar was alleged to have
converted his expertise in ICT, as a British citizen from South London to support the jihadist cause until his
arrest in 2004. Another popular case was that of Tsouli and others that were arrested in connection with been in
possession of 37,000 credit card numbers on his computer which was believed to have been used to steal about
$3.5 million largely for terrorism (Krebs, 2007).
Alao, Atere and Alao (2012) quoting retired Major Chris Moghalu of the United States of America’s military that
Boko Haram received over $70million between 2006 and 2011 for its insurgent activities in Nigeria. Ezigbo
(2014), Stewart and Wroughton (2014) and Ogundipe (2012) noted that the amount was linked to Al-Qaeda to
support terrorism and was successfully transferred through inefficient financial and security network through
various groups in Saudi Arabia and the UK. According to Sakar (2014) and Hogendoorn (2013), Osama bin
Laden was said to have sent $3 million “seed money” to Nigeria to support terrorism.
The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) (2018) noted that Nigerians must be aware that one major
component of terror is information flow. Terrorists like ISIS, Boko Haram, Al Shabab and their collaborators
create dreadful images to instill fear followed by hate which travels like wild fire. This same was corroborated
by Jacobson (2009) and Krebs (2007) among others. Terrorists now make use of internet to propagate their
agenda, recruit new members and attack their targets. This explained why Shekau, the Boko Haram leader
featuring on internet with a view of proving their capacity to strike and cause psychological trauma on citizenry
by presenting government as incapable to protect them and casted doubt on the capability of the security
agencies. It is widely believed that Boko Haram is using email to raise fund and other video tools for its online
propaganda as observed by Fanusie and Entz (May 2017) and Forster-Bowser and Sander (2012).
Also, the same sources above noted that in December 2015, the Shite Muslim brotherhood sympathizers hacked
the official websites of the Lagos State Government and the Court of Appeal in which the group in a massage
posted described government in Nigeria as terrorists. The Terrorists have developed and used encrypted data in
order to plan, communicate and execute their activities which is largely believed that the law enforcement
agencies often find difficult to decode (Oluwafemi, Adesuyi and Abdulhamid, 2013). This is achieved through
the use of ICT tools inclusive of disposable cellular phones, internet cafes and embedded information in digital
pictures and graphics for propaganda. For instance, among numerous propaganda was the one reported in
Vanguard (2016) in which Shekau was boasting in a video of his might to fight Nigeria as well as the whole
World. This could not but have led the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai to advice security personnel
on counter terrorism operations in the North-East not to be deterred by the propaganda machinery of Boko
Haram that was capable of misinformation.
Evaluation of Nigerian Government War on Cyber Terrorism
A great landmark in telecommunication industry took place in 1992 with the law deregulating the sector while
the GSM revolution that started in 2000 provided an unrestricted opportunity for inclusive arrangement for the
citizenry in Nigeria to enjoy mobile communication services. Oluwafemi, Adesuyi, and Abdulhamid, (2013).
The Nigeria Communication Commission NCC (2018) noted that active mobile lines in Nigeria rose to 144
million as at December 2017. The implication of the huge cell phone users is that more than 70 per cent of the
population are connected to digital communication, though some individuals use up to two or move line while
the criminal elements also have unrestricted access. One of the practical steps taken by the Nigerian government
to checkmate cybercrime was the directive by the National Communication Commission in May 2010 in respect
of registration of “Subscriber Identity Module” (SIM) cards of mobile phone users. The goal partly was to
monitor and track different form of crimes that could be enabled by Internet. The fact that majority of those who
had their phones stolen or lost may decide not to do SIM sap or welcome back allowed for inaccurate statistics of
mobile phone users since there is no restriction on the number of lines an individual could acquire even from the
same service provider. Also, the prevalence of local sellers of SIM card already registered may be an impediment
to such a lofty program achieving the set goals. This could have led Daily Trust (2010) to describe the policy as
dead on arrival. It could be the scenario that led the NCC to impose a fine of $5.2 billion on MTN for failing to
disconnect 5.1 million unregistered SIM cards before the end of August and September 2015 deadlines
(Tshabalala, 2015).
As part of government control, the Terrorism Prevention Bill in May 2011 was signed into law by President
Goodluck Jonathan on June 3, 2011. In addition, the Cybercrimes Act was passed into law in 2015. An
evaluation of the achievement of the laws glaring showed that more action needed to be done to ensure
cybersecurity. The persistent of attacks on soft targets in Nigeria is a demonstration that the enactment of laws
without political will, citizenry and international cooperation is not enough to curb Cyber terrorism. This
explains why the huge fund spent on installation of CCTV cameras failed to secure the June 16 and August 26,
2011 terrorist attack of the Police Headquarters and United Nations Building in Abuja as well as attacks on other
security establishments. It is noteworthy that in 2014, the Jonathan administration launched a National Action
Plan against Cybercrime and internet service providers, domain name registration body, telecommunications
service providers and internet exchange were regarded as agencies essential to achieve the goal. It also provided
for centralization of control to ensure prompt and effective response to cybercrime (National Security Policy,
2014). As a follow up in 2017 with a view to strengthening the position of the government in checkmating cyber
terrorism and terrorism, the Nigerian government launched the Nation Action Plan in November 2017. The intent
was to prevent violent extremism (PVE) and focused on strengthening Nigerian Institutions to PVE;
strengthening the rule of law and human rights, building community capacity engagement and resilience as well
as integrating strategic communication to PVE (Office of the national Security Adviser: Counterterrorism Center,
2017).
It is too early to determine the success of these action plan tough Trump administration has given a green light
for the purchase of military aircraft for the fighting of the terrorist. However, it is on public domain that the
security agencies particularly the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) have converted the war against cybercrime
to an instrument of enriching themselves by irrational check and arrest of youth with phones or laptop alleging
them of cybercrime and forcing them to withdraw money from their ATM for settlement Ogundipe (2018) and
Oludimu (2018).
The FATF (2013) also noted that as a result of vigilance in the banking system in Nigeria, the effort of an
International NGO/Charity organization in the Middle East effort to open an account in Nigeria was frustrating
and a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) was made to the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). As part
of the measure by the Federal Government to curb ease of financial transaction by criminal elements including
the terrorist, the Central Bank of Nigeria took proactive steps to block the accounts and transactions linked to
Boko Haram members and their likely sponsors as noted by Ajakaye, 2014; Komolafe, 2013 and Nwaoha, 2013.
Contrary to the above position, The Cable (August 31, 2014) and Varghese (August 31, 2014) reported that an
independent Australian hostage negotiator between Nigerian government and Boko haram observed that an
official in the Central Bank of Nigeria actually processed financial transactions on behalf of Boko Haram, which
permitted the group to hide the sources of its funding and avoid scrutiny when purchasing equipment.
In view of the need for external collaborations to curb cyber terrorism, the Nigerian government approached the
US State Department in 2012 for the training of about 200 security personnel and a Nigerian army battalion. The
arrangement was aborted on account of alleged human right posture of the Federal government due to their
perception that Nigerian government violated US Leahy Amendment 2012 (Amnesty International Report, 2013).
It is therefore glaring that the efforts of the Federal Government in checkmating cyber terrorism is on-going but
the battle is far from being won. It should be appreciated that terrorism is not a regular warfare that could easily
be won and the terrorists cannot be stopped from embracing and using modern technological invention. This
implies that more positive actions are expected from the Federal Government to curb cyber terrorism.
Cyber Terrorism and Human Security Challenges in Nigeria
The UNDP (1994) came up with contemporary understanding of what constitutes human security. These are
economic, food, health, environmental, personal, community, and political security. Cyber terrorism is perceived
as terrorism perpetrated of facilitated through the use of ICT, therefore, the effect of cyber terrorism on human
security could by psychological, real or both. Odiogor (2011) in his report in the Vanguard Newspaper noted that
“the financial system of any country is vulnerable to financial terrorism from within and outside. It is therefore,
important to treat this as a vital component of national security.” One likely effect is the distortion in financial
plan and spending as Greifeld (July, 2011) noted that his organization a stock exchange firm spent about 1 billion
yearly of security of information as his firm was constantly under hackers and cyber terrorists attack. It needs be
understood that form of cyber terrorism include cases of stolen Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or credit cards
or numbers, the use of online facilities to steal fund or through scam mails.
In addition, there is no doubt that a nation noted for cyber terrorism with little demonstrated concerted effort to
checkmate might find it difficult to be investment friendly nation. This might have led Adesegun and Ayenakin
(2015) to conclude that a state of insecurity under any guise has the tendency to constitute a negative effect with
respect to inflow of foreign direct investment. This position agrees with Aro (2013) that “Boko Haram
insurgency has not only led to closure or abandonment of people’s business activities within the affected region
but also led to immigration of people from affected region while Afolabi (2015) noted that terrorist nuisance in
Nigeria has created palpable fear for foreign investors in Nigeria due to insecurity and anarchy. This agrees with
Oriakhi and Osemwengie (2012) and Mckenna (2005) that the increase in government expenditure due to rising
insecurity especially in less developed countries like Nigeria may likely result in the sales of foreign reserves and
espionage, as a consequence, inflation in those countries will rise. Hence, Andyopadhyay, Sandler and Younas.
(2011) and Keefer and Loayza (2008) opined that the economic effects of terrorism led to declining foreign
direct investment (FDI), production loses, cost of maintaining security, hamper economic growth and negatively
affect tourism among many others.
The CEIC (2018) reported that the total value of FDI as at December 2012 was $3,084 million which coincided
with the period when Boko Haram adopted violence as an instrument for the propagation of their activities. As at
2015 that marked the period that Boko Haram was classified as a leading terrorist group globally, the FDI
dropped to $501.8 million. As at December 2017, the period believed to have marked success in war against
terrorism, the FDI nearly doubled the record for 2015 and stood at $ 959.5 million while it further experienced a
decline to $808.6 million as at March 2018 the period coincided with renewed violence by Boko Haram and
herdsmen. The implication is that terrorism as demonstrated in the case of Boko Haram has negative effect in a
nation’s economic security which is an aspect of human security.
The HRP (2018) revealed that 4.5 million children required urgent humanitarian assistance. Though the total
number of Internally displaced persons declined from 3,3 million in 2014 to 1.76 million in the North East in as
noted by IOM DTM Round XXIII (June 2018), humanitarian needs were far from been met. The loss of lives,
injury sustained displacement and psychological trauma on account terrorism had in no small ways affected the
community, environmental and political security of the people in the Nigeria. It is important to further note that
the effect of cyber terrorism in this regard expanded the scope of the threat and psychological trauma beyond the
North East but to cover the whole Nigeria and beyond. Therefore, terrorism under any guise has negative effect
on the health of the nation.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The study concluded that cyber terrorism like cybercrime has come to stay as long as development in ICT cannot
exclude the group and it will continue to aid the operation of the terrorist particularly at psychological level such
as in propaganda, fund transfer, training and collaboration with other international groups. In effect, the threat of
cyber-terrorism cannot but increase in intensity as long as there are educated and knowledgeable youth
occupying positions of authority in terrorist organizations. The degree of success in curbing cyber terrorism is
largely a function of the extent of international cooperation and the ease at which Nigeria government can be a
step ahead of the terrorists. The study also concluded that the prevalence of fear of attack and real destruction of
lives and property aided and facilitated by Internet have devastating effects on human security. This is in terms
of lives lost, family dislocation, poor health service delivery, school closure, stoppage of farming activities and
other means of likelihood.
Thus, if Nigeria must claim decimating the Boko Haram insurgents, and remain the giant of Africa, this paper
recommends that the Federal Government must demonstrate sincere commitment with huge investment in not
only in military (hardware) warfare but to cyber terrorism. This can take the form of establishing effective
institutional mechanisms for managing cyber security; fund and implement the measures designed in line with
international best practices. Consequently, the National Security Adviser (NSA) should respond swiftly
whenever suspicions are made of cyber-attacks. The Nigeria Police and other security agencies should be
retrained and equipped to be meet with the menace of cybercrime.
Again, the Nigeria government should embark on capacity building beyond what the local efforts could achieve.
At the local level, there should be better partnership between public and private sectors efforts in fighting cyber
terrorism as the effects are not directed only to a particular sector. Also, since the attack has no specific boundary,
global partnership through training, sharing of information, creating legal regime and other technological
assistance in the fight is indispensable.
The government must not use the excuse of terrorism to justify poor provisioning of basic human needs. Since
poverty and unemployment are attribute of human insecurity a sincere commitment towards infrastructural
development will help to grow the economy as to boast production and ensure employment generation. The
government should also ensure that adequate financial allocations are made for security and infrastructural
development of all parts of Nigeria, in addition to investing in research for local capacity building to detect, deter
and effectively respond to threats emanating from internet sources.
Recommendation(s):
• The Federal Government must demonstrate sincere commitment with huge investment in not only in the military (hardware) warfare but to cyber terrorism. This can take the form of establishing effective institutional mechanisms for managing cybersecurity; fund and implement the measures designed in line with international best practices.
• The Nigeria government should embark on capacity building beyond what the local efforts could achieve. At the local level, there should be a better partnership between public and private sectors, and global partnership through training, sharing of information, creating legal regime, and other technical assistance in the fight is indispensable.
• Sincere commitment towards infrastructural development will help to grow the economy as to boost production and ensure employment generation. The government should also ensure that adequate financial allocations are made for security and infrastructural development of all parts of Nigeria, in addition to investing in research for local capacity building to detect, deter and effectively respond to threats emanating from internet sources.
About the Authors:
-David Oladimeji Alao is a lecturer at the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.
-Eteete Michael Adam is a lecturer at the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.
-Goodnews Osah is a lecturer at the School of Law and Security Studies, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. he can be reached via his E-mail: osahg@babcock.edu.ng
Source: Canadian Center of Science and Education
Keywords: information and communication technology, internet, cyber security, security threat, terrorism,
human security
