Counter-Terrorism Laws In Nigeria: Human Rights and Public Health Implications in Comparative Perspective.

This article critically examines Nigeria's counterterrorism legal framework, focusing on the Terrorism Prevention Act of 2011 and its 2013 Amendment, and compares it with antiterrorism laws in Africa, Asia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It highlights challenges in addressing terrorism-related human rights and public health issues amid escalating violence by groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, noting that Nigeria's broad legal definitions and mandatory death penalty raise constitutional and human rights concerns. The study underscores the public health impact of terrorism-driven displacement and infrastructure collapse, particularly in northeastern Nigeria and the Niger Delta. It proposes practical reforms including strategic intelligence enhancement, prosecution of terrorists and sponsors, decentralization of policing with community engagement, and cautious negotiation with insurgents, emphasizing that effective counterterrorism requires robust laws, democratic governance, respect for human rights, and inclusive development.