Balancing the conflict between terrorism and the right to self-determination in Nigeria

Abstract

In recent years, the conflict between terrorism and the right to self-determination has become one of the most complex and challenging  issues facing Nigeria. The rise of terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram, which has been linked to attacks on civilians, military  personnel and other targets, has heightened the tensions surrounding self-determination and sparked debate about the appropriate response. At the center of this conflict is the question of whether the right to self-determination should be curtailed in order to combat  terrorism or whether this would be a violation of human rights and potentially lead to further violence. Using a doctrinal research  methodology, this paper analysed the conflict between terrorism and the right to self-determination in Nigeria. The paper found out that  the lack of universally accepted definition of terrorism, coupled with the inherent sovereign power of states to enact anti-terrorism  legislation, can lead to the conflation of terrorism in Nigeria.