Impact of operations of the Nigerian armed forces on insurgency in Abia state southeast geopolitical zone in Nigeria.

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of the military in combating insurgency in Abia State, Nigeria. This study was guided by an objective and hypothesis. This research employed a descriptive research design. Simple regression analysis was used to analyse the hypothesis. The regression coefficient (β) for military operation was 0.379, and the corresponding p-value was 0.000, indicating that the military's operational effectiveness in combating insurgency is statistically significant. The R² value of 0.144 suggests that military operations explain 14.4% of the variance in combating insurgency in Abia State. The significant positive regression coefficient indicates that the Nigerian military operation does have a significant effect on combating insurgency in Abia State as this is in line with the objective of the study. The findings reveal that while the military has recorded some successes, its effectiveness is hindered by inadequate intelligence gathering, limited community engagement, and insufficient coordination with other security agencies and community stakeholders. The Study recommends that the Nigerian military should integrate both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in counter-insurgency operations. The Nigerian government should also develop and implement a comprehensive policy framework that includes clear guidelines for military engagement, civilian protection, and post-conflict reconstruction. The Military should have a multifaceted approach, including improved intelligence gathering, enhanced community engagement, and better coordination with other security agencies to combat insurgency effectively in Abia State. Ultimately, this study contributes to the understanding of the military's role in combating insurgency and provides insights for improving future operations.