ROLES OF INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PARTNERS IN CURTAILING BANDITRY, INSURGENCY, TERRORISM, AND BOKO HARAM INVASION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The paper discussed the roles of international institutions and partners in curtailing banditry, insurgency, terrorism, and Boko Haram invasion in Nigeria. Secondary data were used in the study. The data were collected from both print and online publications. Content analysis was used to analyze the selection of literature for the study. The paper concluded that humanitarian assistance, counter-terrorism frameworks, reintegration support, regional counter-terrorism strategy, joint task forces and training intelligence sharing, conflict prevention and mediation security sector reform, regional collaboration mechanisms, funding support, developmental aid, counter-radicalization programs , military training equipment and technology are peacebuilding programs—advocacy and research are the critical roles of the international institutions and partners in curtailing banditry, insurgency, terrorism, and the Boko Haram invasion in Nigeria. Based on these findings, the paper recommends the Nigerian government should deepen strategic partnerships with the UN, AU, ECOWAS, and other global security bodies to improve coordination in intelligence sharing, border security, counterterrorism operations, and early-warning systems. Regular joint security summits and operational frameworks will ensure coherent and sustained responses to emerging threats. International organizations should scale up capacity-building initiatives, including advanced counterinsurgency training, forensic investigation support, drone surveillance technology, cybersecurity systems, and modern equipment for Nigerian security forces. This will strengthen operational effectiveness in combating banditry and insurgency. International partners should support locally driven initiatives aimed at reducing radicalization, strengthening inter-ethnic trust, and promoting reintegration of former insurgents. Scaling up UN- and INGO-supported psychosocial support, vocational training, and peace education will help address the socio-economic drivers of recruitment.