Abstract
Although Nigeria, like most developing countries is facing various security challenges, recent media reports suggest that activities of Boko Haram insurgent group appears to be the most visible source of security threat to the country. Beginning 2009, the group launched violent attack on the Nigerian state, killing thousands of people and destroying public and private properties in different parts of the country. Globally, the group is now labeled as one of the most deadly insurgent/terrorist groups in the world. Like most insurgent or terrorist groups, it seems to defy several counter terrorism measures introduced by the Nigerian government. Arising from this background, many Nigerians are calling for the involvement of traditional institutions in the fight against the insurgent or terrorist groups. This article attempts to examine the role which African traditional institutions can play in managing the menace of such groups. Methodologically, in-depth interview was adopted for the study using Kano Emirate Council as case study. Thus, among the findings of the study is that traditional institutions occupy a strategic position in Nigerian setting which make them relevant in the fight against insurgents. In this article we argue that considering the closeness of the institutions to the communities, lack of modern security monitoring equipment and comprehensive data on the population for security agencies to keep abreast with the happenings in the society, the Nigerian government should create a framework to synergize between the institutions and the contemporary security agencies. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s2p126
Highlights
Global media reports indicate that Nigeria is presently embroil in serious security challenges those arising from the activities of Boko Haram1 insurgent group
This article argues that the African traditional institutions like Kano Emirate Council of Nigeria have a significant role to play in societal security
It is abundantly clear that the fight on terrorism and insurgency which requires collective approach will be better managed if key institutions like the African traditional leadership are carried along
Summary
Global media reports indicate that Nigeria is presently embroil in serious security challenges those arising from the activities of Boko Haram insurgent group. The actions of the security forces resulted in high number of casualties on the side of Boko Haram including the killing of their factional leader Mohammed Ali. when the surviving members of the group reorganized and launched another attack in 2009, similar measure was employed by the government. Among the various implications of this the above scenario is the uncooperative attitudes of the public in giving intelligent or useful information relating to the activities of the suspected members of Boko Haram to the security agents This is because a friendly relationship between security agents and the public is a key factor in fighting insurgencies as it helps the security agents to obtain information which can lead to nipping pending attacks by the insurgents in the bud. The paper addresses the issue of how to achieve a synergy between the institutions and the contemporary security agencies
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