The United States’ National Interests and the Fight Against Boko Haram Terrorism in Nigeria

Abstract

The study was an attempt aimed at understanding the relationship between the United States national interests in Nigeria and the fight against Boko Haram terrorism. It raised the pertinent question of why the United States is involved in the fight against Boko Haram terrorism. Using a qualitative approach, the study discovered that the United States national interests remain largely unchanged and its averred condemnation of foreign terrorism incontestable, and therefore, responsible for its involvement in the fight against Boko Haram terrorism. However, since the designation of the group as Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the United States, its members appear more determined, ferocious and coordinated in their attacks against the Nigerian state. To this end, the work recommended that the global community should see the fight against Boko Haram scourge from the prism of international terrorism and thereby contribute immensely to arrest it.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n3s1p478