Abstract

Nigeria has been engulfed by insurgency and the emergence of numerous terror groups, splinter groups and bandits have made Nigeria the most terrorized country in sub-Saharan Africa. Women and children in highly compromised districts and regions are the most vulnerable and most affected. This research is focused on identifying the insurgency risk factors and the risk assessment strategies for combating insurgency in Nigeria to protect the interest of women and children in the affected regions.The study sort quantitative data from secondary sources, security tracker databases, insurgency incidents reports and data, violent conflict database, and insurgency risk management database.The study employed quantitative statistical tools for data analysis. Charts, graphs and data where used to summarize and present the information. Some insurgency risk factors, such as institutionalized corruption, entrenched patriarchy, ethno-religious tensions, radicalization, socio-political gender bias, sex trafficking, etc., which increase the vulnerability of women and children and endanger their well-being, education and security were identified.The adoption of risk management in the Nigerian counter-insurgency operations will boost the chances of overcoming the prolonged insurgencies against the Nigerian State and help to protect women and children in the affected region.