Eradicating Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria through the Complementarity of the ICC

Abstract

Kidnapping, hostage taking, armed robbery, and bomb and gun attacks, among other terrorist activities perpetrated in the Boko Haram insurgency, especially in the Northeastern part of Nigeria, have led to wanton loss and destruction of life and property, violations of fundamental rights, socio-economic dislocation, and fear of insecurity generally. War crimes and crimes against humanity have allegedly been committed in the insurgency. The study aims to ascertain the best approach for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to exercise complementary jurisdiction towards eradicating the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. While revealing the limitations of the Nigerian domestic system and pointing out the procedural and substantive flaws of the ICC in the fulfilment of its mandate, the paper recommends proactive complementarity in effectively tackling the insurgency. It concludes by advocating for domestication, better cooperation, and collaborative strategies with the international community to eradicate the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.