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Social Mobilization and Collective Violence: Vigilantes and Militias in The Lowlands of Plateau State, Central Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2011

Adam Higazi
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Abstract

The collective violence in rural areas of southern and central Plateau State between June 2002 and May 2004 was accompanied by widespread social mobilization and heightened ethnic and religious divisions. Vigilantes adapted to the new insecurity and were important local actors in the crisis, but became polarized along religious lines. Their emphasis shifted from vigilance against theft within villages to vigilance against the more serious threats posed by armed militias. The intersection of vigilantes and militias was situational; where there was less violence vigilantes were more prominent, but elsewhere their functions merged. Social action and the patterns of violence were shaped by power relations between identity groups and the struggle for territory. The notion of indigeneity continues to be used by all sides to make territorial claims, and historical narratives of belonging and grievance are actively put forward to bolster political legitimacy. The violence was also strongly defined by religion – the political dominance of Muslims, especially in Wase, generating particular animosity. Religious and cultural beliefs were also expressed by vigilantes and militias themselves, and, while not a direct cause of violence, supernatural beliefs did affect forms of mobilization and decision making.

La violence collective survenue dans les zones rurales du sud et du centre de l'État du Plateau entre juin 2002 et mai 2004 était accompagnée d'une vaste mobilisation sociale et d'une intensification des divisions ethniques et religieuses. Les groupes de vigilantes se sont adaptés à cette nouvelle insécurité et ont joué un rôle local important dans cette crise, mais se sont divisés sur des lignes religieuses. Leur priorité est passée de la surveillance contre le vol dans les villages à la surveillance contre les menaces plus graves posées par les milices armées. L'intersection des groupes de vigilantes et des milices était situationnelle ; la violence était moindre là où les groupes de vigilantes étaient plus proéminents mais, ailleurs, leurs fonctions se confondaient. L'action sociale et les schémas de violence étaient déterminés par les relations de pouvoir entre les groupes d'identité et par la lutte pour le territoire. La notion d'indigénéité continue d'être utilisée par tous les bords à des fins de revendications territoriales, et les récits historiques d'appartenance et d'injustice sont activement mis en avant pour conforter une légitimité politique. La violence était également fortement définie par la religion, la domination politique des musulmans, notamment à Wase, générant une animosité particulière. Les croyances religieuses et culturelles s'exprimaient également à travers les groupes de vigilantes et les milices et, bien que n'étant pas une cause de violence directe, les croyances surnaturelles ont eu une incidence sur des formes de mobilisation et de prise de décision.

Type
Research Article
Information
Africa , Volume 78 , Issue 1: Perspectives on Vigilantism in Nigeria , February 2008 , pp. 107 - 135
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 2008

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