The legal protection of boys and men against terrorism and banditry in Africa

Terrorism and banditry are two closely related crimes that involve the engagement of arms in violent attacks calculated to threaten, kill, destroy and annihilate a part or unit of a population with the intent to create a general atmosphere of fear and insecurity. There could be intimidation to achieve economic, religious and or political objectives. These violent crimes have resulted in the death of millions across the globe and caused untold hardship and instability in affected countries especially in Africa. The number of refugees arising from terrorism and banditry in Africa is taking astronomical dimensions even as governments are increasingly helpless. It would appear that the more commonly discussed victims of terrorism and banditry have been the girls and women considered the most and disproportionately vulnerable. Utilising the doctrinal research methodology, this article examines how these violent crimes affect boys and men in Africa by way of physical harms, psychological trauma and other life disruptions. It investigates the adequacy or otherwise of the legal protection in the hope of suggesting a sustainable and inclusive legal framework that factors the peculiarity of vulnerabilities of boys and men, especially in conflict-prone parts of Africa and ensuring their access to justice, rehabilitation and empowerment.