ETHNIC MILITIAS IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATION ON NATIONAL SECURITY

Abstract

Ethnic Militias in Nigeria have become a reoccurring decimal in Nigeria’s political history. The activities of these ethnic militia groups have transformed from mere ethnic activities to violence of the Nigerian state, the struggles against deprivation and marginalization to criminal acts. These criminal acts range from kidnapping indigenes and expatriates for ransom. The dimension and magnitude of criminal activities caused by the activities of ethnic militia groups have adverse security implications for the region and the nation at large. It is on this background that this paper examined the historical evolution of ethnic militias in Nigeria. The paper also unveils the instances/incidences of ethnic militias’ activities in Nigeria. The study also examined the implications of ethnic militias on Nigeria’s national security. Finally, the paper gave recommendations to the menace of ethnic militias. The work used diverse secondary sources (such as books, journal articles, newspapers, magazines, internet sources and unpublished works) and thematic approach in its analysis. Reports obtained from these sources formed the bulk of this research’s tool of assessment.