Unemployment, Psychological Trauma, Militancy and Boko Haram Conflict in Nigeria

Abstract

The issue of unemployment has bedeviled the development of many countries especially when the youths who are trained in various skills of human endeavor find it difficult in getting job opportunities. This research work has focused on the impact of unemployment with specific attention to Nigeria. The country over the years from 2009 to date witnessed a series of attacks by the Boko Haram terrorist group whose membership mostly are the youths. The main objective of this research is to examine the impact of unemployment as it causes psychological trauma, frustration and aggression thereby resulting to a state of insecurity. The work made use of qualitative research design through the conduct of interviews. The work also made use of other sources such as journal publications and internet sources. The findings drawn from this research reveal that some of the youths who engage in terrorist attacks against the Nigerian state are unemployed while some could be due to poverty and illiteracy. The issues raised could cause psychological trauma to the victims especially those whose relatives lost their lives as well as those who are internally displaced. The work, therefore, recommends a new public policy framework as a strategy in resolving the conflict in order to sustain peace and security of the country.