BOKO HARAM AND THE DEPLOYMENT OF FEMALE SUICIDE BOMBERS IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR GENDER AND INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

Abstract

Boko Haram deployment of female suicide bombers in the on-going war against Terror in Nigeria has had far-reaching implications for gender and International Humanitarian Law. The trend, which has seen the “weaponization” of women seems gendered, and betrays the age-long discrimination against the female gender, which is contrary to the provisions of international human rights and humanitarian law. The aims and objectives of this paper is to examine and explore the implications for gender and IHL, of Boko Haram deployment of female suicide bombers, in the Nigerian War on Terror. Certain Islamic principles on gender in relation to the involvement of women in violence and armed conflict specifically, were examined. So also were the principles of international humanitarian law considered, in relation to the deployment of female suicide bombers. The paper employs the doctrinal research methodology which yields relevant information from books, journals and internet sources. Such information shows that the deployment of female suicide bombers is contrary to Islamic principles of Jihad; while the suicide bombers are also not entitled to engage in warfare as combatants, whether as “unprivileged” or “unlawful” combatants or “fighters” under IHL. Their deployment is also not consistent with IHL provisions on Means and Methods of Warfare. To that extent, they should therefore be treated as common criminals under the law enforcement approach; and in appropriate cases, as war criminals under the armed conflict approach.