Re-evaluating the Impact of Violent Extremism on Lake Chad Basin Region of West Africa

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of violent extremism on the Lake Chad Basin Region. From being one of the most important agricultural heritage sites in the world that provided a lifeline to millions of people in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, violent extremism in the region has become a burden, among others accounting for loss of lives, with 29,376 deaths recorded in 2015 alone. The study therefore examined ways in which porous borders, security policies and governance outcome within the region contributed to persisting challenges there. Anchored on the deprivation, frustration and aggression theory, the study utilized documentary method for data collection while content analysis mechanism was adopted for analysis. The study found out that the Lake Chad Basin region’s porous borders have, over the years, served as transportation routes for arms smuggling, thereby fueling violent extremism. It also found out that the contiguous countries’ security policies have remained ineffective. The study therefore recommended effective border management as well as the need for authorities to address the cases of unhealthy inter-agency rivalry among the security agencies in the area.