Intractability of Terrorism on Sustainable Development in Nigeria: A Critical Assessment of Counter-Terrorism Measures

Terrorism has remained intractable situation in Nigeria. The successive governments have initiated various counter terrorism strategies but have not been able to effectively mitigate the menace. This paper therefore examined the correlation between counter-terrorism and intractability of terrorism in Nigeria with reference to adverse effects on sustainable development. The study adopted mixed-design that acknowledged the use of secondary data (texts, articles, documentary reports, bulletins) and questionnaire instrument. In addition, the study reviewed and applied state fragility/governance failure theory, relative deprivation and aggression theory and human security theory. Also, the paper established that terrorism in Nigeria has remain intractable with less significant relationship with failure of counter-terrorism responses thereby eliciting curiosity on underlying factors driving spread and intensity of insurgency. The study further revealed that counter-terrorism strategies of Nigerian government are working, but the socio-economic kinetic approaches are yet to be effectively addressed to stem the tides of intractable situation of terrorism in Nigeria. From these findings, the study advocated for national integrative measures from the federal government occasioned with complementing efforts of the state government to improve social welfare conditions of Nigerians