Boko Haram Insurgency and Socio-Economic Impact on Host Communities in Adamawa and Borno States, Nigeria

Abstract

The Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria has evolved into a protracted conflict with severe humanitarian and socioeconomic consequences for survivors. The insurgency has displaced large numbers of people, forcing many to seek refuge in neighbouring Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, while internally displacing others across state capitals and surrounding areas. These displacements have adversely affected the livelihoods and socioeconomic well-being of survivors and have had broader implications for Nigeria’s national development. This study employed both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with major stakeholders in Maiduguri and Yola, the state capitals of Borno and Adamawa States, respectively, which host substantial populations of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Secondary data were obtained through content analysis of relevant archival materials. The study was guided by state fragility theory. The findings indicate that the displacement of inhabitants from their communities has adversely affected socioeconomic well-being and human security in Maiduguri and Yola. The study recommends that the federal and state governments, private organisations, and philanthropic actors strengthen interventions for insurgency survivors by providing essential food supplies and adequate shelter. It further recommends that the Nigerian government expedite the resettlement of survivors by strengthening community security through effective early warning, detection, and response mechanisms. These measures would facilitate sustainable reconstruction and the safe resettlement of IDPs in their communities of origin, thereby reducing pressure on urban infrastructure and helping to lower the cost of living in Maiduguri and Yola