Abstract
This study critically examined armed conflict, which has disrupted socio –economic activities in South East Nigeria. There has been a growing concern over the growing incidence of insecurity in a zone that has remained peaceful after the civil war, a peaceful atmosphere that enabled the people to comfortably pursue their legitimate means of livelihood. In recent times, the region known for its rapid growing economy that has attracted both local and international investors has degenerated to a conflict zone with investors leaving the region for other areas with living conditions and socioeconomic development dwindling on a daily basis, while lives and property are being wantonly destroyed. The objective of this study is to determine the causes of this armed conflict and its consequences on socio-economic development and equally come up with solutions for peace. Through the qualitative, relying on secondary sources, the study employed content and descriptive analysis. The study adopted Frustration Aggression theory as its theoretical framework. The study findings reveled that, the perceived marginalization of the South East geopolitical zone by central government as well as the bad governance of the political leaders in the zone are responsible for the armed conflict, it equally discovered that the conflict has disrupted socio economic activities in the zone thereby increasing the rate of unemployment, poverty and crime rate. The study recommends that the Central government should treat all the zones equally in terms of infrastructural development, political appointments and as well, engage the arm groups in dialogue rather than use of force.