Managing terrorism and insurgency through African traditional institutions: the role of Kano Emirate Council – Nigeria

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.