Disinformation as a Tool for Recruitment by Terrorist Groups in Nigeria
Keywords:
Disinformation, Recruitment, Terrorist, Too and Nigeria
Abstract
Terrorist organizations in Nigeria, such as Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province), have increasingly utilized disinformation as a strategic tool to manipulate public opinion and recruit members. This study examines the mechanisms, channels, and effects of disinformation campaigns, analyzing their impact on radicalization and recruitment. Using a qualitative approach, this research explores case studies, social media propaganda, and counter-narratives to assess the effectiveness of terrorist recruitment through disinformation. The findings highlight the urgent need for counterstrategies that involve media literacy, governmental intervention, and community resilience programs. The paper argues that disinformation plays a significant role in the recruitment strategies of terrorist groups in Nigeria, such as Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province). These groups use false narratives, propaganda, and social media manipulation to radicalize and recruit individuals, particularly in vulnerable communities. The paper concludes that disinformation is a critical tool used by terrorist groups in Nigeria to manipulate narratives, radicalize individuals, and recruit members. Boko Haram, ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province), and other extremist factions leverage fake news, conspiracy theories, and misinformation to exploit vulnerable populations.
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References
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Peng, S., Yang, A., Cao, L., Yu, S., & Xie, D. (2017). Social influence modeling using information theory in mobile social networks. Information Sciences, 379, 146-159.
Pérez, J. A., & Mugny, G. (2018). The conflict elaboration theory of social influence. In Understanding group behavior (pp. 191-210). Psychology Press.
Usman, B., Eric Msughter, A., & Olaitan Ridwanullah, A. (2022). Social media literacy: fake news consumption and perception of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 9(1), 2138011.
Usman, I. A., & Owubokiri, T. F. (2023). International Terrorism in the Age of Information and Communication Technology. JPPUMA: Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan dan Sosial Politik UMA (Journal of Governance and Political Social UMA), 11(2), 86-99.
Vitalis, P. O., Amadi, R. N., & Whyte, D. H. (2024). Social Construct of Nollywood Films and Ethnocentrism in Southern Nigeria. CINEJ Cinema Journal, 12(2), 152-179.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Yar’Adua, S. M., & Msughter, A. E. (2023). Peace Journalism and Development: An Appraisal of Boko Haram Insurgency in the North-East of Nigeria.
Adigwe, C. S., Mayeke, N. R., Olabanji, S. O., Okunleye, O. J., Joeaneke, P., & Olaniyi, O. O. (2024). The evolution of terrorism in the digital age: Investigating the adaptation of terrorist groups to cyber technologies for recruitment, propaganda, and cyberattacks. Propaganda, and Cyberattacks (February 20, 2024).
Airaoje, O. K., Obada, A. A., & Msughter, A. E. (2023). A Critical Review on Gender Based Violence in Nigeria: Media Dimension. Humanities, 3(2), 9-16.
Aondover, E. M., Daushe, A. U., Ogunbola, O., & Aondover, P. O. (2025). Media Coverage of Internally Displaced Persons in two Selected Newspapers in Nigeria. Journal of Migration and Health, 100301.
Aondover, E. M., Maradun, L. U., & Yar’Adua, S. M. (2022). Mediatization of the net and internetization of the print media in Northern Nigeria. Unisia, 40(2), 335-356.
Aondover, E. M., Onyejelem, T. E., & Garba, S. (2024). Media Role in Conflict Resolution and Peaceful Coexistence in Indigenous Communities. Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies, 6(1), 2.
Aondover, P. O., Aondover, E. M., & Babele, A. M. (2022). Two nations, same technology, different outcomes: Analysis of technology application in Africa and America. Journal of Educational Research and Review, 1(1), 001-008.
Cialdini, R. B., & Goldstein, N. J. (2004). Social influence: Compliance and conformity. Annu. Rev. Psychol., 55(1), 591-621.
Garba, S., & Msaughter, A. E. (2023a). Newspaper Content Analysis of 2012-2015 Ombaste Ethnic Conflict in Nasarawa State: A Framing Theory Perspective. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 10 (2), 69-77.
Garba, S., & Msughter, A. E. (2023b). Beyond the framing process: An X-ray of newspaper reportage of conflicts in Northern Nigeria. Unisia, 41(2).
Goldsmith, E. B., & Goldsmith, R. E. (2011). Social influence and sustainability in households. International journal of consumer studies, 35(2), 117-121.
Hile, M. M., Msughter, A. E., & Aliyu, M. A. (2023). Secularism and Ethical Issues in Media Practice as a Bane for National Development. SIASAT, 8(3), 166-177.
Malefakis, M. A. (2019). Social media dynamics in Boko Haram’s terrorist insurgence. Toda Peace Institute, 35-71.
Mohammed, I, (2019). Coverage of Chibok Girls Abduction by Selected Nigerian Newspapers, Novena Journal of Communication. v. 10., 2019
Mohammed, I. (2021). No end in sight for insecurity and banditry in northwestern Nigeria. Terrorism Monitor, 19(13), 3-5.
Mojaye, E. M., & Aondover, E. M. (2022). Theoretical perspectives in world information systems: A propositional appraisal of new media-communication imperatives. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 14(1), 100-106.
Msughter, A. E., Hile, M. M., & Yar’Adua, S. M. (2023). Ethical Issues and Insecurity in Africa: The Media Dimension. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 10(2), 58-68.
Msughter, A. E., Perpetua, A. O., & Itiafa, A. L. (2023). Artificial Intelligence and the Media: Revisiting Digital Dichotomy Theory. In Information Systems Management. IntechOpen.
Mustapha, A. R. (2014). Understanding Boko Haram. Sects & social disorder: Muslim identities & conflict in Northern Nigeria, 147.
Nnam, M. U., Ajah, B. O., Arua, C. C., Okechukwu, G. P., & Okorie, C. O. (2019). The War must be Sustained: An Integrated Theoretical Perspective of the Cyberspace-Boko Haram Terrorism Nexus in Nigeria. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 13(2).
Ogbondah, C. W., & Agbese, P. O. (2018). Terrorists and social media messages: a critical analysis of Boko Haram’s messages and messaging techniques. The Palgrave Handbook of Media and Communication Research in Africa, 313-345.
Ogunlana, S. O. (2019). Halting Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa province propaganda in cyberspace with cybersecurity technologies. Journal of Strategic Security, 12(1), 72-106.
Olaniran, S. (2022). Disinformation: exploring the nexus between politics and technology in Nigeria (Doctoral dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg).
Omede, A. J., & Alebiosu, E. A. (2020). Social media and Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. Fuwukari International Journal of Sociology and Development, 1(2), 1-12.
Onyejelem, T. E., Aondover, E. M., Adewale, O. C., Akin-Odukoya, O. O., & Chime-Nganya, C. R. (2025). Global Terrorism and Media Reportage of Boko Haram Cases in the 21st Century. SIASAT, 10(1), 71-83.
Owens-Ibie, N., & Aondover, E. M. (2024). Hate postings on social media and peace imperatives in Nigeria. Legal challenges and political strategies in the post-truth era.
Peng, S., Yang, A., Cao, L., Yu, S., & Xie, D. (2017). Social influence modeling using information theory in mobile social networks. Information Sciences, 379, 146-159.
Pérez, J. A., & Mugny, G. (2018). The conflict elaboration theory of social influence. In Understanding group behavior (pp. 191-210). Psychology Press.
Usman, B., Eric Msughter, A., & Olaitan Ridwanullah, A. (2022). Social media literacy: fake news consumption and perception of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 9(1), 2138011.
Usman, I. A., & Owubokiri, T. F. (2023). International Terrorism in the Age of Information and Communication Technology. JPPUMA: Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan dan Sosial Politik UMA (Journal of Governance and Political Social UMA), 11(2), 86-99.
Vitalis, P. O., Amadi, R. N., & Whyte, D. H. (2024). Social Construct of Nollywood Films and Ethnocentrism in Southern Nigeria. CINEJ Cinema Journal, 12(2), 152-179.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Yar’Adua, S. M., & Msughter, A. E. (2023). Peace Journalism and Development: An Appraisal of Boko Haram Insurgency in the North-East of Nigeria.
Published
2025-02-06
How to Cite
Idris Mohammed, Eric Msughter Aondover, Omolara Oluwabusayo Akin-Odukoya, & Ekpali Joseph Saint. (2025). Disinformation as a Tool for Recruitment by Terrorist Groups in Nigeria. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi Dan Perubahan Sosial, 12(1), 23-35. https://doi.org/10.33258/konfrontasi2.v12i1.324
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