CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF BOKO HARAM ATTACKS ON HUMANITARIAN WORKERS IN BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

Joseph Emmanuel

Center for Peace and Security Studies, Modibbo Adama University Yola, Nigeria

Email: josephemmanuel199000@gmail.com

Abstract

The Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State, Nigeria, has led to systematic attacks on humanitarian workers, severely disrupting aid delivery in a region already facing a severe crisis. This study investigated the causes and consequences of these attacks using a descriptive survey design with a mixed-methods of data collection. A total of 327 aid workers from 90 NGOs, 10 former Boko Haram combatants and humanitarian agency officials participated in the study. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire (BHA-CCQ) and key informant interviews (KIIs), analyzed through descriptive statistics (SPSS v27) and thematic analysis (NVIVO). Findings indicated that Boko Haram targets aid workers due to ideological opposition to Western influence, strategic disruption of relief efforts, economic motives (kidnapping and looting supplies), and retaliation against perceived government collaboration. The consequences include reduced humanitarian presence, operational withdrawals, financial strain, destruction of aid infrastructure, and severe psychological impacts on staff, further worsening the crisis for vulnerable populations. The study highlighted the urgent need for enhanced security protocols, community-based conflict mitigation strategies, and policy reforms to protect humanitarian operations. Recommendations include the following: localized peacebuilding initiatives, trauma support for aid workers, and adaptive operational models to sustain relief efforts in high-risk zones.

Keywords: Boko Haram, Humanitarian Workers, Terrorism, Aid Delivery, Conflict, Borno State, Nigeria, Security, Crisis Response.