The Impact of Boko Haram Terror Threats On Cross Border Security in West Africa the Case of Nigeria – Cameroon Border

The Boko Haram has been responsible for several violent attacks over the past several years, including bombings against the Nigerian state in the north, and has broadened its chaotic and dangerously life-threatening mayhem to the south, where it has attacked delicate targets in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. High-profile government agencies, markets, banks, police stations, mosques and churches have not been spared of such attacks. The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of their terror threats in West Africa, with particular interest on the Nigeria-Cameroon cross border. Specific objectives guiding the study include: to examine the impact of Boko Haram threats on the social cohesion of people living on the Nigeria-Cameroon border, to find out the impact of their terror threats on the economic activities of people living along the border; to also determine the impact of this terror on the political climate along the Nigeria-Cameroon border. The study is underpinned on three theories: rational choice theory, relative deprivation theory and social identity theory. The study employed qualitative case study design. The strength of case studies is that they allow researchers to investigate a given area comprehensively and to use it as an illustration of the actual situation of the whole region. The study also collected data from secondary materials. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis and findings presented in narrations and verbatim. The study found out that, the Boko Haram terror threats have had far reaching ramifications on the economic activities, social cohesion and political climate on the Nigeria-Cameroon border. Therefore, part of the recommendations are youth empowerment programs, a comprehensive review of the failed security strategies on Boko Haram dominated regions and a maximum improvement, the tightening of border security and change of tact in combating terrorism on the Nigeria-Cameroon cross border. The political will to actualize these aims should not be in doubt or its credibility be in question. Also, there is need to look into the critical corruption that has existed in the affected countries and the role of religious bigotry and extremism.