Militia counterinsurgency: Understanding the drivers of states’ engagement of militias in counterinsurgency in northeast Nigeria

Abstract

This a qualitative study that investigate the drivers that triggered state governments in Nigeria northeast to incorporate militias into their counterinsurgency operation. The militia albeit emerged as a communal response to the violent rebellion of the insurgency, however it lately started earning tacit support from the governments in the northeast. Supports are majorly offered in kind such as patrol vans, uniforms and canvasses. They equally received monetary supports to boost operation. This study therefore investigated why the states allowed the militias in the counterinsurgency. This is even in view of the consequential threats and abuses allegedly enshrined in the militia violence. The case study was conducted at Geidam of Yobe State. The article revealed among others familiarity factors of the physical terrain, technical knowledge of the sociocultural environment and adaption to climatic factors of the insurgent communities. These attributes, the study revealed influence communal support and cooperation to the regular forces and the state. In this case, they appeared incredible tool of vital intelligence, as well as a force multiplier to the state security apparatus. However, to minimize the unruly behavior of the militias, the article recommends the state authorities to screen the participants to eliminate the bad eggs among them. Others are, providing enabling laws to guide their operation, as well as provision of incentives to combat exhorting of the member of the public.