In consideration of the topic above, we shall subdivide the topic into;
(i) Legal
implications of suicide bombing and terrorism and
(ii) Social
implications of suicide bombing and terrorism.
Legal Implications of Suicide Bombing and
Terrorism
From all we have understood so far in this paper, is also that
terrorism attacks democracy, the rule of law, and respect for humanity of the
citizenry. Terrorism does not allow the smooth sailing of the doctrine of fundamental
human rights.
Terrorism aims at the destruction of
human rights through terror and violence employed against civilians, often by
non- state actors1.
Terrorism has adverse implications or
consequences on the citizenry. If there is no other thing(s) terrorism causes,
its infringement on the fundamental human rights of individuals, calls for a
serious concern.
Chapter
four of the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria provides for
the fundamental human rights of the citizens of Nigeria. And there is not act
of terror that pays homage to that part of the constitution since it is even
the aim of the terrorist group or organization to imbue fear through terror and
violence in a greater number of the populace.
The
legal implication of suicide bombing/terrorism is not only on the part of
citizens but also on the part of government2. Terrorist activities
tend to instigate an atmosphere of panic, trembling or shock in order either to
take over the government from the ruling class by levying war against the state3.
or to aid an enemy of Nigeria to endanger life4.
However
despite the legal implications of terrorism on the sides of the citizenry and
the government, the activities of terrorists have legal consequences that their
perpetrators face when caught.
Though there is no provision under both municipal and
international laws for punishment for suicide bombing since the perpetrator or
suicide bomber dies in the process and there is nobody to be held liable for
the act save where the accomplice(s) is caught, a suicide however will still be
punished in accordance with the provision of the terrorist law in a situation
where they attempt and fail in the execution of the act. [1]
In ac country
like Nigeria, a terrorist or any person who involves in terrorist activity is
“for sure” going to face death sentences.
Social Implications of Suicide Bombing and
Terrorism
The
social implications of terrorism abound. Things do not work out well in an
atmosphere of malice, rancor, panic and trembling. There is always a complete
stampede, retardation and halt of development in a “hemisphere” where fear of
the unknown is inherent.
Terrorism
poses constant fears and threats in the minds of a greater number of the
populace thereby subjecting them to the fear of the unknown.
Social
implications of terrorism have the following implications as corollaries:-
i. Economic implications,
ii. Political unrest,
iii. Restriction of movement (curfew), and
iv. Constant fear
i. Economic Implications
Terrorism has significant negative effect on the economies in which
takes place. Terrorist attacks are intended to apply sufficient [2] pressures
to a government so that it grants political concession6. And this is
done by the destruction of government infrastructures impeding transactions
between such government and another government. the economic consequences of
terrorism can assume many forms including casualties, destroyed buildings, a
heightened anxiety level and myriad economic costs7.
Studies have
established that internal conflicts can have significant economic consequences
in terms of reduced growth within a conflict ridden country8 and
neighbouring countries9.
The
insurgence of the Boko Haram in the North causes economic retardation because
people are afraid to go the North to carry on their commercial activities.
Between 2011 and 2013 when the activities of the Boko Haram were very tense in
the North, many people who lived in the north (who were not indigenous to the
north) traveled back to their various stats in such situation, the northern
states’ Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) reduced drastically and on the other
hand, on the part of individuals, untold hardships came on people who were
dependent on the commercial relationship of the town leavers. Economic
implications of terrorism further cause poverty and retardation in development.
ii. Political Unrest
One of the social implications of terrorism is political rest. The
activities of the terrorist make the government of the day to shift its
political focus; agenda, foreign policy and national policy to tackling
terrorism first since a government does not exist in the state of anarchy.
In
Nigeria, the government budgets a greater percentage of its allocation to security
thereby have little or no interest in other national issues. A state stung by
the poisonous sting of terrorism redirects its focus to security. In Nigeria
today, the major national issue in the minds of citizens is security. Focusing
on security makes the government of the day unable to achievie its envisaged
prospects.
In
some states in the northern part of Nigeria, between 2011-2013, there have been
persistent declarations of state of emergency in such states like; Borno State,
Bauchi State, Gombe State, etc. Terrorist activities like that of the Boko
Haram in the north paralyzed almost all sectors of the country’s activities.
Before
I conclude in this topic, it is worth noting state is the ability its citizens to
live together peacefully in any part thereof. And where citizens of a nation
state cannot live in certain parts of their country for fear of being killed or
molested by terrorists, then the polity of such state is effected and
government will certainly face political unrest.
iii. Restriction of Movement (curfew)
In
the northern states of Gombe, Borno, and Baunchi, there have been from time to
time declarations of curfews/ state of emergency thereby limiting people’s
right to freedom of movement and right to liberty.
In
certain parts of the north, the military and the joint-task force are there
checking people’s movement. Again people from the south can no longer move to
the north for the fear of being victims of terrorist activities. Those
situations would not have arisen if not for the Boko Haram activities in the
north.
iv. Constant Fear
People who live in the north live in constant fear. This is because nobody
knows when and where Boko Haram (terrorist) activities may take place.
People
who have their education in the north are afraid. Despite the kind of security
put in place in the north, people still fear the unknown that may happen at any
point in time.
All
these implications of terrorism hamper development, agricultural growth,
relationship with other countries and the trust of neighbourliness.