International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 10, Issue 5, May-2019 1332 ISSN 2229-5518 IJSER © 2019 http://www.ijser.org Moderating role of risk perception on the certainty effect-counterinsurgency decision link: A focus on counter-Boko Haram decision. Larry O. Awo 1+ , Philip C. Mefoh 2 , Kate C. Ekwe 3 , Sampson K. Nwonyi 4 , Enebi Y. Atanu 5 and Chris A. Oko 1 1 School of General and Foundation Studies, Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny Island, Nigeria 2 Department of Psychology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria 3 Center for Gender Studies, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria 4 Department of Psychology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria 5 Department of Statistics, Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny Island, Nigeria +Corresponding author: larryokechukwu@gmail.com +234-7036779628 Abstract - In an effort to advance a psychologically oriented solution to the menace of terrorism, we employed a within group experimental design to examine certainty effects on counter-terrorism decision and whether risk perception could moderate such effect. Psychology students (n = 60) (mean age = 24.35 years, SD =2.85 years) took part in the study. Certainty was varied into certainty and uncertainty levels. A one-way ANOVA result revealed a significant effect of certainty on counter-terrorism decision. It was also revealed that risk perception moderated the effect of certainty on counter-insurgency decision. This result were discussed in consideration of the prevailing security challenges in Nigeria. Keywords: certainty effect, counterinsurgency decision, menace of terrorism, psychologically oriented solution, risk perception, ——————————  —————————— INTRODUCTION nsurgency is a peculiar warfare where non- state forces known as terrorists employ asymmetric means against the citizenry and the state military forces (Mohammed & Abdulrasheed, 2014). The northeast region of Nigeria can be described as an environment of mixed peace and war due to the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group since 2009, and the deployment of state forces to tackle the sect, has met mixed reactions from many circles. The military operations in the area have required different and more specialized skills, though it has been argued that conventional warfare training could be modified for such operations. The reality of this battle so far, is its untold economic, social and psychological problems on not just the inhabitant of the region, but also on the entire country (Mohammed, Ibrahim & Suleiman, 2017). Onime (2018) documented that the negative effects of Boko Haram related insurgency in Nigeria has reached an alarming proportion in almost all facets of national life - Lives are lost on daily basis leading to population depletion, businesses are in comatose, investments are nose-diving, multinationals are closing shops and vacating the country, unemployment is soaring higher, and the populace live in fear. Clearly, insurgency poses a threat to governance and the growth of the Nigerian economy. All efforts have been made and are being made, to find a lasting solution to the menace of Boko Haram related insurgency in Nigeria. This has led to the adoption of both short and long-term strategies by the government (Adetoro, 2012; Olaniyan, 2015). Immediate short-term measures aimed at curbing certain activities that lead to insecurity and loss of life are the most appealing. In most cases, weapon detectors and gadgets have been procured and employed at airports, seaports, land borders, government and private institutions, offices, banks, parks and checkpoints by both trained and untrained personnel (Awo, Mefoh & Ezeh, 2018; Awo, Mefoh & Nwonyi, 2018). The decisions to adopt the afore-mentioned measure (often referred to as counterinsurgency decision) is crucial owing to the scarcity of resources needed to meet I IJSER