DOMESTIC INSURGENCY AND THE CHALLENGES OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN YOBE STATE

Abstract

This article examines the implications of domestic insurgency on socio-economic development in Yobe state, Nigeria. Indeed, Northeastern Nigeria has been grossly embroiled in an age-long scourge of insurgency which has caused downtrodden consequences on the lives of the people in the region, particularly Yobe state which appeared to be the focus of this work. Available data on the level and dimensions of insurgency in Yobe state reveals an increase over time, which constitutes serious threat to lives and properties, hinders businesses and agricultural activities, attendant evidences of massive displacement of people, wanton destruction of infrastructures, and disruption to social endeavors among many have stifled and retarded socio-economic development in the state. Human Needs theory was adopted as the theoretical underpinning which depicted the possibility of violence due to deprivation of human needs. The paper dwelt on qualitative means of eliciting data in which key informant interviews, focus group discussions were conducted, secondary sources from books, journals and materials on the internet were consulted, more so, observation of real life situations have aided the study. It was found that insurgency has wrecked countless havoc on the socio-economic destiny of Yobe state, hence, subjecting the state into a seemingly irretrievable socio-economic quagmire. There were cases of internal displacement, closure of businesses and challenges of food insecurity. In the light of the above the paper recommends that government has to be proactive in dealing with security issues and threats, through modern methods of intelligence gathering and sharing among security personnel, training, logistics, motivation, and deploying advanced technology in managing security challenges and to create an environment with relevant social, economic and physical infrastructure to support business and industrial growth.