THE IMPACT OF JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADIN KAI ON SOCIO-POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHEAST NIGERIA USING A WHOLE-OF-SOCIETY APPROACH

Abstract

Nigeria's protracted insurgency in the Northeast, largely driven by Boko Haram and Islamic State in the West Africa Province, (ISWAP) has posed serious threats to national and regional stability, undermining security, displacing millions, and crippling socio-economic infrastructure. In response to these persistent threats, the Nigerian government launched Operation Hadin Kai in 2021 as a comprehensive military and civil-military strategy aimed at degrading insurgent capabilities and restoring normalcy. While notable military successes have been achieved, there is a need to assess the broader implications of the operation beyond battlefield victories. This study explores the socio-political and economic impact of Operation Hadin Kai using a whole-of-society approach. It examines the roles of civil society organizations, local governance institutions, traditional rulers, and humanitarian actors in shaping sustainable peace and development outcomes in Borno and Yobe States. Through survey data and participatory analysis, the research provides insight into how inclusive strategies contribute to community resilience, improved governance, and economic revitalization in post-insurgency contexts.