‘The things which hurt, instruct,’ says Benjamin Franklin

A WIFE recruits some thugs to burn down a new five-star hotel erected by her husband. Over 10 lives and millions of naira were lost in that dastardly act. Also, 25 primary school children on their way back from school were kidnapped, while the driver of the bus was shot dead by unknown assailants. One week after, no news had been heard either about the children or the perpetrators of this wicked act. The next story is that of suicide bombing in a police station, which claimed the lives of 10 policemen and officers of various ranks.

   These brazen and bestial displays of violence and terrible acts are becoming commonplace in the world. Mankind is in the midst of a ceremonious calamity and ‘combustible’ litany of catastrophes occasioned by self-destruct proclivity. We have degenerated to the realm of that proverbial servant, who lost every sense of gratitude, and would rather challenge his benefactor to a bout of wrestling after enjoying a sumptuous meal provided by the latter.

  Contemporary violence and terrorism don’t recognise geography, gender, colour or country. As our world develops into a global village, so does terrorism seem to grow in leaps and bound. While every terrorist act bears the mark of violence, every violent act doesn’t qualify as terrorism.

   What then is terrorism? What fuels it? What is the mindset of the terrorist? What pragmatic measures should one engage in to dislodge it? Let us attempt to analyse these crucial issues.

Meaning of Terrorism

According to Webster (2005) Dictionary, terrorism is the ‘use of terror and violence to intimidate’ people. Ultimately, these weapons of intimidation will produce different degrees of harm on people. They may range from mere threats to causing physical damages and even death. These could be physical, psychological, material, financial or familial.

   The UN Security Council Resolution 1566 (2004) defined terrorism as ‘criminal acts, including against civilians, committed with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury or taking of hostages, with the purpose to provoke a state of terror in the general public or in a group of persons or particular persons, intimidate a population or compel a government or an international organisation to do or to abstain from doing any act.”

  I consider this definition to be comprehensive because it includes terrorism against individuals and groups, the purpose and power of terrorism.

  The terrorist exploits the psychological pain threshold of the victim to achieve his purpose. Like plants that are drawn towards light, human beings normally gravitate towards pleasure and gain, but flee from pain. Also, the terrorist employs the weapon of fear to intimidate his victim. Terrorism, therefore, is warfare of two mindsets — those of the terrorist and the victim.

Theories of Terrorism

  There are several psychological reasons, causes and theories of terrorism. From the psychoanalytic viewpoint, terrorism is a product of psychopathology. In other words, terrorism emanates from mental illness. Unconscious motives and perpetration of 1d tendencies in the personality, according to the Freudian psychoanalytic theory both contribute to the prevalence of terrorism and violence in the human personality.

  This psychoanalytic explanation of terrorism is relevant to our Nigerian situation, where in some quarters people take pleasure in practising sadism. Or how else does one explain a situation, whereby many lives and property are wasted, while the perpetrators gleefully plan to do more? Sadism and bestial tendencies are at work.

  Recent studies on the issue of the mental health of terrorist indicate that some of them function effectively in normal day-to-day running of their lives. For instance, they may have a regular career or manage their homes well, yet, once the duty of terrorism beckons, a typical terrorist would sacrifice all his/her treasure at the altar of terrorist activity. One then wonders what type of mental health such terrorists enjoy?

  The social learning theory posits that terrorism is simply a learned act.  Derived from the nurture theory, the social learning theory states that terrorism is not an innate trait, but a learned attitude. This can be vicarious and or intentional. Again, this theory is relevant to our Nigerian situation of terrorism. Many young people, including females have been recruited to engage in terrorism. The terrorists have found indoctrination to be a useful tool to propagate their heinous act.

  The third psychological theory of terrorism we consider is cognitive viewpoint. Different people base this theory on the perception, understanding and interpretation of the environment. Basically, people form an internal or cognitive map of their external environment, which becomes the determinant of their behaviour. Once more, we can see the relevance of this theory in the Nigerian terrorist situation.   

  We know of such a prevailing mindset, which believes that some sections of the Nigerian nation are marginalised, dispossessed of power or their birthright. Consequently, the only way to regain power is through terrorism. This is a pervasive mindset of the Nigerian terrorist, who bestrides the double stool of religious indoctrination and pursuit of power.

   Perception is a significant determinant of human behaviour. It is the baseline of human judgment, action and attitude. It is perception that develops into a mindset and ultimately goes ahead to form our worldview. Consequently, each of us has a peculiar mindset and worldview, which is the compass of our journey through this life. 

  Vengeance and forgiveness, hatred and love, stinginess and generosity begin with perception, develop into a mindset and ultimately form our worldview. Solving the problem of terrorism must begin from this point of education, enlightenment and change of mindset.

Handling Terrorism

  Retaliatory military violent strategies alone may never solve the problem of terrorism. Used alone and predominantly, they are counterproductive. Social scientists strongly think that there are three effective strategies of handling terrorism. These are reducing intergroup conflict, creating incentives for the reduction of terrorism and socialising young people (Scott, Plous & Philip Zimbardo, 2004).

   With over 250 tribal groups in Nigeria and many years of real and perceived marginalisation of these various tribes or nations, we do know that curbing terrorism in our country is a huge task. However, this can be addressed strategically by focusing on resolving the conflicts or handling the hurting spot of each of the most aggrieved or vulnerable tribe or nation. 

  The use of incentives is yet an invaluable strategy to deal with terrorism. These incentives vary from coast to coast and from one tribal nation to the other. It is important that those that are in charge of the conflict resolution should avoid robbing Peter to pay Paul, because such measures would be ineffective.

   The last remedy propounded by social scientist against terrorism is employing the instrument of socialisation among young people. This is akin to vaccinating a prospective patient against the onslaught of an impending disease. As a preventive strategy against terrorism, socialisation is potent. Prevention is always better than cure. We all know that the Nigerian situation is a complex one, which needs a multi-strategic approach to handle. 

  Our armed forces must be equipped with modern technological armoury. Nigerians should learn to be sensitive and alert against every sign of terrorism, while the relationship between the armed forces and the citizens should be improved. Citizens should learn some self-defence tactics, while the government at all levels should be involved (and seen to be) in the protection of the lives of the citizenry.

   As a major problem, which complicates the Nigerian terrorism imbroglio, solution must be found in the principles of military intelligence, strict discipline, enforcement of equity and justice. By no means are these easy matters to pursue and accomplish. Yet, conquering terrorism must incorporate these bold steps. It was Rudy Giuliani, who said: “Courage is about the management of fear, not the absence.” In spite of our fears, Nigeria must move on and boldly, too.

   Terrorism is majorly a psychological warfare, which involves two mindsets — that of the terrorist, who wants to intimidate, harm and ultimately control the opposition. On the other side is the opposition, who labours to crush or change the mind of the terrorist. It is not an easy war at all. And this is why divine intervention becomes necessary. The physical, psychological and social war should be combined with the spiritual. Foot soldiers and spiritual warriors should form a synergy. Heaven will surely smile on us.

Dr. Passy Amaraegbu is a Clinical psychologist and author. He lives in Lagos.