Thesis (MA) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research International Relations

This study investigated the various counter- terrorism measures and initiatives undertaken by the federal government of Nigeria to mitigate the activities of terrorist organizations, and whether this initiatives have helped improve political stability and security. Qualitative research techniques was utilized in the study, a total of 124 scholarly materials were reviewed, the findings revealed that the various counter-measures, especially, coercive military approaches has failed and have escalated the security situations in the country, making terrorist groups and separationist movements in the country to change their mode of operandi and developed defensive mechanism. Consequently, human rights abuses and political instability trends. While, the non-military measures might have being successful at short term, however, inconsistency in projects implementation by successive administrations have implications for sustaining the success recorded by the non-coercive measures in the country, contextual understandıng of the varıous sources of ınsecurıty ıs necessary, ıt wıll enable polıcy makers and relevant stakeholders to draft effectıve counter measures approprıate for the ıdentıfıed terrorısm groups and the separatıonıst movement Based on the determining factors that drive terrorism and insecurity, the paper proposed an holistic counter-terrorism framework, a Regional Governance System (RGS), which allow each region to police their own affairs, this is critical in addressing the multifaceted dimensions of terrorism in Nigeria.