The purpose of this case study is to examine the relationship between human security and national security in the contemporary case of Boko Haram and the Nigerian state. Qualitative content analysis of official and cultural documents is used to survey the security scenario in Nigeria. The research shows that the Nigerian population is facing double sources of threat; non-state actor Boko Haram threatens human security across Nigeria whilst Nigerian state agents fight Boko Haram at the expense of human security. The results confirm the main preconditions suggested by the Welsh School; security threats are best understood at the intrastate level, and the state as a source of threat rather than the provider of security. Human insecurity seems to be Boko Haram’s method to achieve its national objective, and Boko Haram gaining control over territory in northern Nigeria certifies that national security is a function of human security. This supports the Welsh School’s understanding of security.