HUMAN RIGHTS AND TERRORISM: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF BOKO HARAM'S IMPACT IN NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA

ABSTRACTThis paper critically examines the impact of Boko Haram’s terrorism on human rights in Northeastern Nigeria. It explores how both Boko Haram’s violent activities and the Nigerian government’s counterterrorism measures have led to widespread human rights violations. Using securitization theory and the frameworks on International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law as well domestic legislation, the paper analyses issues such as extrajudicial killings, torture, rape, sexual violence, forced marriage, arrests and unlawful detentions and suppression of civil liberties. It argues that the dual crises of terrorism and counterterrorism have undermined human rights protection and calls for a right-based approach that balances security imperatives with the rule of law and accountability.KEYWORDS: Human Rights, Terrorism, Boko Haram, Counterterrorism, Impact in Northeastern, Nigeria