TERRORISM SYMPATHISERS, CONFLICT ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND WAR AGAINST TRANSBORDER TERRORISM IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The paper examined terrorism sympathizers, conflict profit tearing and war against trans-border terrorism in Nigeria. The dynamics of conflict reveals complex interplay of actors who derive significant benefits from ongoing violence and insecurity. Among these are conflict commodity dealers, arms dealers, and military contractors. Arms dealers profit from supplying weapons to conflicting parties, often operating through either unstructured black markets or more organized networks. The paper relied heavily on the use of secondary sources, such as official gazettes, textbooks, journals, internet materials and financial documents from local and international anti-money laundering organizations. It involved conducting extensive and critical content analysis of extant literature on terrorism sympathisers, conflict profiteering, criminal financing in Nigeria. The paper found out that terrorist groups like Boko Haram are using the licit financial infrastructure in the country to generate critical funds for their illicit activities. The paper recommended, amongst others, that the Boko Haram insurgency, along with associated banditry and kidnapping, does not solely lead to suffering, property destruction, and underdevelopment. A significant number of individuals and groups actually profit from these crises, which contributes to the prolonged duration of conflict, often beyond the immediate issues at stake.