Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Ethnic militia groups in Nigeria have emerged as a significant threat to democracy and security in the country. These groups, often formed along ethnic lines, have been responsible for a wide range of violent activities, including attacks on civilians, security forces, and government installations. The proliferation of ethnic militias is a result of various factors, including historical grievances, political marginalization, and the availability of weapons. This research explores the impact of ethnic militias on democracy and security in Nigeria, focusing on their origins, organizational structures, motivations, and activities. By examining case studies of prominent ethnic militia groups in the country, such as the Oodua People's Congress (OPC) and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), this study seeks to understand the complex interplay between ethnicity, politics, and violence in Nigeria. The findings suggest that ethnic militias pose a dual threat to democracy and security in Nigeria. On one hand, these groups undermine the democratic process by resorting to violence as a means of pursuing their political objectives, thereby creating a climate of fear and insecurity. On the other hand, ethnic militias exacerbate existing ethnic tensions and pose a challenge to the state's monopoly on the legitimate use of force. The presence of ethnic militias also complicates efforts to address broader security challenges, such as terrorism, insurgency, and organized crime. In light of these findings, this research highlights the need for a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to addressing the issue of ethnic militias in Nigeria. This includes addressing the root causes of ethnic grievances, promoting inclusive governance, and strengthening security sector reform. By addressing the underlying factors driving the emergence of ethnic militias, the Nigerian government can work towards building a more stable and secure democratic society. Ultimately, the successful management of ethnic militias is essential for the consolidation of democracy and the promotion of peace and stability in Nigeria.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Presently in Nigeria, the formation of ethnic and religious have completely taken over the stage and also have played a noticeable role with socio-political interactions of the Nigerian state.

The scenario of this ethnic militia has posed itself to be a threat to Nigerian democracy and security, spanning from the North, East, and South of the Nigerian state. In the Northern state, the exertion of Boko Haram sect which has destroyed millions of lives in the region cannot be ignored. The Ombatse Cult activities in Nasarawa state in north central Nigeria is likely going to be out of control. Taking it to the east, the frequent kidnapping by bad men/criminals remains dangerous in that region. In the South-south area, the activities of Niger Delta militants who in spite of the amnesty offered to them by the late President Yar Adua is still not steady, for this reason the environment still remained threatened day by day.

One of the major challenges that have constrained development in Nigeria is superiority, power of ethnic militias which is now a threat to democracy and security of the country and also eclipsed the nation for over a decade now. The lasting presence of violence expressed between these groups who feel excluded and unimportant from existing power structures on one hand and central authority on the other hand have seriously affected not only peace and security but also undermined and weakened the countries national development. Also, the violent conflicts with security personnel,  and the deliberate destruction of public properties by both ethnic militias and insurgency seriously undermines the safety of lives and properties of the people, and infuse fear and sense of insecurity on the majority. These negatively influence the development of the Nigerian state.

Nigerian as a developing country has in recent times been at the receiving end of the frequent rise of ethnic militias. It has been pointed that this has also been a huge challenge in a significant number of African and Asian countries seeking to migrate from the stage of electoral politics to the consolidation of democracy. The weight of confirmation shows that democratic openings have often annoyed ethnic and communal tensions in divided societies. It is now at the back of every citizen’s mind that we live today in an “era of militant ethnicity”, with its grave social, economic, political and human costs because of the challenges facing the state.

Among the most critical and violent of this new brand of released political forces of which many have thought of as ‘resurgence’ is the intractable phenomenon of ethnic nationality/identity movements. Presently in Nigeria, this development has overshadowed and taken on the form of ethnic militia movements ostensibly standing in for and seeking to protect their different ethnic interests in a country in which the state is to a large extent perceived as unconcerned to the needs of the ethnic nationalities in the country. The most important and well pronounced among these militias include the plethora of the Niger Delta militias such as the Egbesu Boys of Africa (EBA), the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, and the Chikoko Movement. Other new and more pronounced militias include the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Arewa People’s Congress (APC). Without any question, the move towards ethnic national self-determination, in whatever form it clearly shows itself, is the maximum challenge facing the security of the Nigerian nation from the 1990s onwards. In densely populated slums of Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt, Aba, Onitsha, Kaduna and Kano, militant groups sporadically unleash extreme violence on civil society as well as on the symbols of governmental authority (Okechukwu 2000). The weight of the killing of many people by these militant groups is better imagined than experienced. Agitating youths boldly overrun state security squads, ransack police stations and overtakes the streets for days. An order or law that requires people to be indoors are inflicted from  time to time while embattled governmental authorities resort to shoot-on-sight orders to quell riots and restore order in the volatile Nigerian urban communities. The sudden increase in ethnic militias ironically seems to be what unifies Nigerians against the excesses of the state after many years of pernicious rule. Generally, Nigerians do not have of faith in their government; they lack the rule of law and a sense of being oppressed. Common to these militant groups are the attributes of the uncritical use of violence, a preponderance of youth membership, ethnic identity affiliations, and movements of a basically pronounced and well-known nature and pressing change over the status quo such as the calls for a Sovereign National Conference or a National Conference as the case September be. It is against this backdrop that this paper seeks to unravel the interesting fact of ethnic militias and its threat to democracy and Nigerian security.

1.2. Statement of the general problem

The constant cases of insecurity in the north eastern part of Nigeria and the Niger delta has been a source of concern as it has taken a negative tool on the corporate existence of Nigeria. Cases of militancy and insurgency have long ago divided the country along ethnic lines and this does not augur well for the cultural and social development of our country especially as regards to democracy. The cases of insecurity caused by these menace has resulted to the decline of the productivity of the country and has equally put democracy in a grave risk as people cannot go out to exercise their franchise amidst insecurity hence the declaration of state of emergency which negatively affects democracy in the country.

1.3. Aims and objectives of the study

The main aim of the study is to examine the threat of ethnic militia to democracy and security in Nigeria. Other specific objectives include;

1. To examine the effect of ethnic militia on socio economic development of Nigeria.
2. To examine the effect of ethnic militia on the development of democracy in Nigeria.
3. To investigate the major factors contributing to insecurity in Nigeria.
4. To determine the relationship between ethnic militancy and insecurity in Nigeria.
5. To recommend possible solution to ethnic militia in Nigeria.

1.3. Research Questions

1. What is the effect of ethnic militia on socio economic development of Nigeria?
2. What is the effect of ethnic militia on the development of democracy in Nigeria?
3. What are the major factors contributing to insecurity in Nigeria?
4. What is the relationship between ethnic militia and insecurity in Nigeria?
5. What are the possible solutions to ethnic militia in Nigeria?

1.4. Research Hypotheses

H0: Ethnic militia does not affect Nigeria’s democracy

H1: Ethnic militia affects Nigeria’s democracy

H0: There is no relationship between ethnic militia and insecurity in Nigeria

H1: There is a relationship between ethnic militia and insecurity in Nigeria

1.5. Significance of the study

The study would greatly benefit the Nigerian populace, government at all levels and politicians as it would go a long way of unveiling the consequences of ethnic militia on our nascent democracy and security. The study would also proffer solutions to ethnic militia in Nigeria. The study would be of immense importance to students, researchers and scholars who are interested in carrying out further research on this subject matter.

1.6. Scope of the study

The study is restricted to the examination of ethnic militia and its threat to democracy and security in Nigeria using a case study of the Niger delta militants.

1.7. Research Design

The surveys research method was used for this study. This was considered appropriate because survey design generally can be used to effectively investigate problems in realistic settings. The survey technique will also allow the researcher to examine several variables and use multivariate statistics to analyze data.