Abstract: Remarkable development cannot take place in an atmosphere of crises, chaos and disturbances. The insurgency in the North East has become a national concern. Since, its inception, there has been incessant murder of innocent citizens, destruction of properties, worship areas like churches and mosques, kidnapping, looting and raping perpetuated on the citizens of this country. The atrocious activities of this group driven by their ideology has threatened the co-existence, peace, unity and development of this great nation. It has left Nigeria with the highest number of internally displaced people in Africa. This study examined the insurgency of Boko Haram in the Northeast its ideology, the roles of Northern political leaders, traditional rulers and Islamic elites. It also considered social studies education as panacea to insurgency. The study revealed causes of insurgency to include marginalization, social injustice, ideology inequality, poverty, unemployment among others. Recommendations were made which include among others that the ideology of Boko Haram should be discouraged in its entirety as it threatens the unity of Nigeria and that Northern political leaders should by no means encourage, sponsor or use them as political thugs. The study concludes that Northern political leaders should use the resources allocation to the region judiciously to alleviate poverty, provide necessary social amenities, teach social studies at all levels of education, address issues of idleness, beggars and ignorance and reduce the level of inequality among others.