Challenges and Coping Strategies of Insurgency-Displaced Persons in North-Eastern Nigeria

The horrendous scorch-earth destructive campaign by transnational networks of insurgency groups, including loss of lives and properties, has heralded the most formidable global security challenges in many parts of the world, including the North-eastern part of Nigeria, and yet there is inadequate study on the coping strategies of the affected persons. This study aimed at examining the challenges of insurgencydisplaced persons and their coping strategies in North-eastern Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive research design to select 500 respondents using purposive sampling technique. While, 12 Key Informant Interview (KII) was adopted to generate qualitative using snowballing sampling technique. The findings revealed that the coping strategies of insurgency affected persons involved positive self-psychological confidence, problem avoidance mentality and use of escape tactics from reality along support seeking and problem confrontational approach with dogged determination among others. The findings indicates that the adopted coping strategies have reduced the plights of insurgencyaffected persons. While the counter insurgency strategic measures included increase in the number of troops to the core insurgency infested states, procurement of relevant modern weapons and military hardware to equip Nigerian security forces, and involvement of private intelligence security outfits to monitor security threats to business productive environments. The study recommended that more military support, including the deployment of more troops and modern fighting equipment should be deployed to fight insurgency in the North-east, while relevant stakeholders should improve their support for insurgency victims to reduce human security challenges currently facing them.