This paper focuses on the Boko-Haram insurgency and the challenges on cultural and natural heritage protection in Northern Nigeria. It assesses the levels of damages carried out by the Boko-Haram Insurgent group on the Sambisa forest in Bornu State, Nigeria. The Boko-Haram insurgence broke out in July 24, 2009 in Marduguri but soon spread to six Northern States of Bornu, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Kano and Katsina. Sambisa forest located in the city of Maiduguri is an example of destruction of cultural heritage as collateral damaged in the course of the insurgency. During this period, a great deal of cultural heritage such as buildings, mosques, markets, churches, cultural landscapes were damaged. Again, Sambisa forest had been taken over by the Boko-Haram insurgents whereby animals, timbers and tourist and recreation centres were destroyed. Due to its location, Sambisa forest has been controlled primarily by Boko-Haram group and other gun men who use it as hiding places and the border porosity in the area for smuggling of arms. The issue of kidnapping also prevented the influx of people into this area thereby jeopardizing the economic, political and social activities as well as educational systems of the area. Natural order between the people of this area has been altered since the emergence of Boko-Haram and people live with the physical and psychological effects of the disappearances of 219 girls from Chibok. These securities gave signals to the international community that Nigeria is not a safe and secured place suitable for tourism and economic investment. The paper suggested various measures the Nigerian government can put in place to arrest the situation.

Keywords: Key words: Boko-Haram, insurgency, culture, heritage, Nigeria.