Unabated Cyber Terrorism and Human Security in Nigeria

The development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) due to Internet connectivity has called to question the preparedness of nations to curb cyber terrorism and the effects on human security. Boko Haram emerged as one of the deadliest terrorist groups globally. The paper investigated the Nigeria’s efforts in checkmating cyber terrorism, the implication on human security and the inherent challenges associated. The paper employed descriptive research and qualitative method while secondary sources of data were adopted. The study found that cyber terrorism as employed by Boko Haram was deployed in raising fund, propaganda, coordinating operation, international collaboration, recruitment and training of its members. In addition, the Nigerian government has not given sufficient attention to war against cyber terrorism and this has complicated human security provisioning particularly in the North-East Nigeria. This study concluded that cyber terrorism has come to stay as long as development in ICT cannot exclude the terrorists and the prevalence of fear of attack and the destruction of lives and property facilitated by Internet have devastating effects on human security. This paper recommended the criminalization of terror attacks, adequate equipment of the security agencies and political will to tackle societal ills.