Resurgence of Armed Conflict in Nigeria and Human Security Dimension

This paper examines the resurgence of armed conflict in Nigeria and its effects on human security. Apparently, Nigeria has a vicious cycle of armed conflicts running through religious prejudice, struggle for economic control and renewed call for secession. The fault lines between ethno-religion and economic control are replacing the political and ideological boundaries of the era of Civil war as the flash point for armed conflicts and bloodshed in Nigeria. But, the new wave of armed conflict in Nigeria runs along what are now known as the religious boundaries between Muslims and Christians in the north, renewed call by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South-East and the Niger Delta Avengers in the South-South. This division is no longer on the line of Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa/Fulani in the north or south, instead it is war of religious dominance, resource control and secession. This paper used social conflict theory to examine the recurring armed conflicts in Nigeria and suggestions are made towards a solution to avoid these constant threats to the peace, security and oneness of Nigeria.