This month, RESOLVE highlights recommended readings from our Policy Note, The Challenge of State-Backed Internal Security in Nigeria: Considerations for Amotekun. Author Jennifer Obado-Joel focuses on the characteristics, challenges, and opportunities of Amotekun, a recently formed CBAG in Southwest Nigeria. Drawing from the experiences of similar Nigerian groups, the Note details recommendations that may facilitate greater success and lessen potential risk associated with Amotekun’s formation. This What We’re Reading digest was recommended by the author to give background on understanding social movements, CBAGs and Vigilantes, and internal security, violent and non-violent campaigns in Nigeria. 

Understanding social movements, CBAGs and Vigilantes  

Anderson, Benedict. Imagined communities: reflections on the origin and spread of nationalism. London: Verso, 1991.  

Eck, Kristine. “The Law of the Land: Communal Conflict and Legal Authority.” Journal of Peace Research 51, no. 4 (July 54–441 :(2014. http://doi.org/0022343314522257/10.1177. 

Fourchard, Laurent. 2008. “A New Name for an Old Practice: Vigilantes in South-Western Nigeria.” Africa 78, no. 1 (2008): 16-40. https://doi.org/10.3366/E000197200800003X.  

Olise, Isah Abdulrouf, and Ikechukwu Emeh. “Interagency Collaboration and the Management of CounterInsurgency Campaigns against Boko Haram in Nigeria.” Security Journal 33 (2020): 455–475. https:// doi.org/10.1057/s41284-020-00237-3.  

Mimiko N. Oluwafemi. “The Omoluabi Essence an Interrogation of the History, Culture, and Identity of the Yoruba in Transitory Contexts.” African and Asian Studies 16, no. 3 (May 2017) https://doi. org/10.1163/15692108-12341386.  

Modu Lawan Gana. “Militia Participation in Counterinsurgency: The Impetus of Civilian Joint Task Participation in Combating Boko Haram in Nigeria.” RUDN Journal of Political Science 21, no. 3 (2019): 460–69.  

Nolte, Insa. “‘Without Women, Nothing Can Succeed’: Yoruba Women in the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Nigeria.” Africa (Edinburgh University Press) 78, no. 1 (2008): 84–106.  

Tarrow, Sidney. Power in Movement: Social Movements and Contentious Politics. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2008.  

Internal security, violent and non-violent campaigns in Nigeria  

Osabiya, Babatunde Joseph. “Ethnic Militancy and Internal Terrorism on Nigeria’s National Security.” International Journal of Development and Conflict 5, no. 1 (2015): 59–75.  

Pratten, David. “‘The Thief Eats His Shame’: Practice and Power in Nigerian Vigilantism.” Africa 78, no. 1 (2008): 64–83.  

Pratten, David. “Introduction. The Politics of Protection: Perspectives on Vigilantism in Nigeria.” Africa 78, no. 1 (2008): 1–15.