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ABSTRACT
The post-Cold-War collapse of the Soviet military-industrial complex has enabled the rapid global proliferation of nuclear weapons and fissile material, thereby escalating the possibilities of non-conventional nuclear attacks. Such attacks have become more likely with the emergence of very powerful terrorist groups like Boko Haram and others around the world. Over 1,800 metric tons of nuclear material is still stored in poorly secured facilities in more than 25 countries. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as at December 2015 had recorded in their trafficking database a total of 2,889 incidents involving losses, thefts and attempts to traffic fissile material across international borders. Boko Haram may also engage with radiological or biochemical ‘dirty bombs’, which are easier to make. With no less than 48 reported incidences of biochemical attacks since 1900, it is likely that Boko Haram may switch tactics, especially considering the lack of biochemical detection protocols in Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy and also the inconsistency in public and private sector collaboration. This new reality calls for a recalibration of Nigeria’s counterterrorism protocols to accommodate the anticipated threat. The paper thus highlights policy considerations and advocates new directions.
Notes on Contributor
Bernard B. Fyanka Holds a Ph.D. in History and Strategic Studies from the University of Lagos, Akoka Lagos Nigeria. He has published widely on strategic studies, arms control, and proliferation. He is the author of ‘International Patterns of Small Arms Control: An Evolutionary Assessment and the Imperative for Strategic Control'. He has also authored ‘Pre and Post-War Health Services in Nigeria: A Chronicle of WHO Activities at the Foundation of Nigeria's Health Security'. An alumnus of the prestigious University of Bergen Summer Research School in Norway, He presently lectures at The Redeemer’s University Ede.
Notes
1 Ackerman and Tamsett, Jihadists and Weapons of Mass Destruction.
2 Bale, ‘Jihadist Ideology and Strategy’, 3.
3 Ibid.
4 Dechesne, ‘Obedience to Divinity?’, 79.
5 Strack, ‘Evolution of the Islamic State’s Chemical Weapons Efforts’, 19.
6 Parker, ‘Terrorism and Just War.’
7 Ibid.
8 Ibid.
9 Shuster, ‘Inside the Uranium Underworld’.
10 ‘Keeping Nuclear Weapons from Terrorists’.
11 Union of Concerned Scientists, ‘Nuclear Terrorism Overview’.
12 Belfer Center, ‘Nuclear Terrorism Fact Sheet’, 2.
13 Crowley, ‘Can Terrorists Build the Bomb?’.
14 Ibid.
15 Ibid.
16 Union of Concerned Scientists, ‘Nuclear Terrorism Overview’.
17 Ibid.
18 Ibid.
19 UN Security Council, Report of the Panel of Experts appointed pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1306 (2000).
20 Holtom, United Nations Arms Embargoes Their Impact on Arms Flows and Target Behaviour Case Study: Liberia, 1992–2006.
21 Allison, Nuclear Terrorism, 64.
22 Belfer Center, ‘Nuclear Terrorism Fact Sheet’.
23 Nuclear Threat Initiative, ‘Nuclear Terrorism’.
24 Ibid.
25 Crowley, ‘Can Terrorists Build the Bomb?’.
26 Latortue, ‘Nuclear Weapons and Terrorism’.
27 Belfer Center, ‘Nuclear Terrorism Fact Sheet’.
28 Wakili and Ogidi, ‘Boko Haram Has Killed Over 12,000 Nigerians’.
29 Institute for Economics and Peace, Global Terrorism Index 2016, 50.
30 Ibid., 53.
31 Firsing, ‘Africa, Nuclear Security’.
32 Ibid.
33 Ibid.
34 Akwaya, ‘Nigeria and the Nuclear Security Summit’.
35 Nuclear Threat Initiative, ‘Nuclear Terrorism’.
36 Federal Republic of Nigeria, ‘National Statement’.
37 Busari, ‘Investigation: At Nigeria’s Abandoned Nuclear Centre’.
38 Union of Concerned Scientists, ‘Preventing Nuclear Terrorism’.
39 Crowley, ‘Can Terrorists Build the Bomb?’.
40 Nuclear Threat Initiative, ‘Radiological Threat’.
41 Ibid.
42 Ibid.
43 Spencer and Carafano, ‘Dealing with Dirty Bombs’.
44 DeNoon, ‘Biological and Chemical Terror History’.
45 Wagner, ‘Biological Weapons and Virtual Terrorism’.
46 Ibid.
47 Summers, ‘7 Things You Should Know About Boko Haram’.
48 Strack, ‘Evolution of the Islamic State’s Chemical Weapons Efforts’, 19.
49 Smyser, ‘A Radioactive Challenge’.
50 Amano, ‘How Do We Prevent Nuclear Terrorism?’.
51 Brill and Bernhard, ‘Preventing Nuclear Terrorism’.
52 Federal Republic of Nigeria, ‘National Statement’.
53 United Nations, Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, 3
54 United Nations, ‘Counterterrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF)’, 3.
55 Institute for Economics and Peace, Global Terrorism Index 2016, 17.
56 ‘Terrorism Deaths Decline 80%’.
57 ‘Easter Boko Haram Attack’.
58 United Nations, Interagency Coordination, 16.
59 Office of the National Security Adviser, National Counterterrorism Strategy (NACTEST), 20.
60 Federal Republic of Nigeria’, ‘National Statement’.
61 Chakrov and Hanlon, ‘Nigeria Converts Its Research Reactor’.