Globalisation and Transnational Terrorism in West Africa: Islamic State, West African Province (ISWAP) Dimension

Abstract

Propagators of globalization have emphasized full beneficial packages from the networks of socio-economic and political activities of nations. Unfortunately, the outcome of the global interactions among nations continuously left scares of wounds and pains as daily experiences for many. Transnational terrorism is such dilemma that breaks the backs of the big and small players in the system. In West African sub-region, a terrorist group, ISWAP holds states in bondage with military weapons of modern technological innovations and intelligence. Based on the foregoing, this paper examined the activities of ISWAP to ascertain how globalization has aided this terrorist adventure and undermined globalization benefits. The study is exploratory in design and qualitative in methodology. It utilized documentary method of data collection analysed through qualitative content analysis. Regional Security Complex Theory served as a theoretical framework for explanation. Findings showed that globalization has contributed to the emergence, expansion and consolidation of transnational terrorism by aiding the spread of extremist ideology and providing terrorists with access to modern communication tools and new opportunities. This resulted from national leadership incompetence, unprepared embrace of globalization, poor bargaining capacity and new forms of imperialism. Based on the above findings, the paper argued that until the negative effects of globalization are controlled, the benefits will continue to experience setbacks in many social formations. Transnational terrorism in West Africa and the world should be a collective concern through shared intelligence, coordinated efforts, and joint strategies by authorities and other stakeholders. Identification and freezing of terrorist assets, prevention of the flow of illegal funds, drug trafficking, kidnapping and money laundering are viable options in this direction using well trained and committed security personnel for implementation.