INSURGENCY IN FLORENCE OKETONA’SASHES IN THE TIMES.

This study examines the portrayal of insurgency in Florence Oketona's novel, Ashes in The Times.The objective is to analyse the impact of the plot, settings, characters, and symbols in depictinginsurgency within the text. The researcher explores how insurgency affects its victims and definesthe characteristics of insurgency, including the mode of operation of insurgents and the role of thegovernment in addressing this issue, as depicted in the text. The study adopts qualitative andanalytic research designs for the analysis, considering the language and symbols used in the text assources of data. The research is guided by the New Historicism theory, which helps identify andanalyse the historical and cultural context that inspired the text. By examining the social andhistorical elements manifested in the text, the study reveals the ineffective security architecture ofNigeria in addressing insecurity. Insurgency is portrayed as a destructive and devastatingphenomenon that must be eradicated due to its negative impact on society. To address the ongoinginsurgency, the government should prioritize good governance, education, and employmentopportunities for the youth and citizens, while equipping and training/retraining the securityforces. Measures should be taken to ban hate speeches and radical messages in places of worship,with perpetrators facing prosecution. Additionally, viable negotiation strategies should be adoptedto engage agitators and find common ground, while reinforcing the Nigerian borders to preventforeign involvement in the crisis.