Factors that aid terrorism 1 - The fallow ground theory

One factor that has aided Terrorism and terror groups all over the world is nature. nature though a gift to man, but if not utilized or under-utilized it becomes a tool in the hands of terror groups, an abode to unleash mayhem and source of life and comfort far away from government searchlight. A care ful study of the organization of terror groups around the world reveals that the guerilla warfare techniques which are carried out by insurgents is made possible and highly effective when there is a place of retreat, far away from civilizaions. By travelling 15 -25 km without sighting any settlement, meant that it would be possible for groups to make onslaught on communities who are mostly unaware of any suspicious gathering or where there is awareness no one knows what is really going on. Where insurgencies have thrived, Terror groups often find solace in nature either in bushes, forests, mountains, creeks, rivers and oceans, vast desert land.

 From the Taliban and Isis in Afghanistan and Syria respectively, who find mountains and vast desert land as hiding places for organizing terror activities, the Al Shabab in East Africa, to Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria which easily withdraws to the Zambisa forest, a forest that extends to Chad, Cameroon, and the Central Africa Republic. Insurgent groups rehearse and carry out violent activities in such areas that are not inhabited, nature thus become a hell from the heavens of the cities and Urbanization.

Government establishments all over the world are concentrated in a particular area which does become choked with people from rural areas in search of a 'better' livelihood. Nature's gift which, could have been a source of pride are left untouched. Rocks and bushes are hence, not only inhabited by Pythons and Lions, it becomes a fortress for terror groups. 

The fallow ground theory of terror or the abandoned nature theory of insurgent terrorism postulates that when nature becomes isolated, neglected, unused or under-used, and that the farther humans move away from nature, nature is attracted to insurgent groups and Terrorists, as well as other criminal minds. nature is then translated from its functional purposes to dysfunctional purposes. Nature does not exist in a vacuum.

Governments and Security agencies all over the world must understand the geographical patterns and trend of Terrorism and insurgencies in order to be able to effectively deal with this menace.

Governments and policy makers must be pro-active in the effective usage of nature by gradually dis-embarking on over-concentration of Government's Institutions and business establishments. Industrial cities and new settlements with relevant infrastructures must be put in place to encourage migration into these new areas e.g, setting up of mines where necessary, road construction, military and para-military barracks and colleges, schools, hospitals, government agencies, farm settlements etc. By so doing, development becomes scattered, population is sparsely distributed and nature is effectively managed and utilized. Man must interact with nature, nature must interact with man,  this is how we communicate. 

Written by:Oyekunle Olumide Julius

Sociologist and Business expert