Guardians of Peace
The Civilian Joint Task Force in Countering Boko Haram in Borno State, Nigeria
Published on 6. May 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
222 pages
979-8-8819-0212-4 (ISBN)
Description
This book offers a new lens on insurgency-related peace, focusing on the critical role of local initiatives in addressing violent extremism. It centers on the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), a community-based peace group formed in Borno State, Nigeria, in response to the atrocities of Boko Haram. With over 26,000 members, the CJTF has become a significant player in the fight against Boko Haram, working closely with the military across both urban and rural areas. Using a qualitative ethnographic approach, the book challenges the traditional view that insurgency-related peace efforts are solely the responsibility of the state or conventional security forces. It highlights how local, non-state actors like the CJTF contribute effectively to security and peacebuilding, shedding light on the complexities of civilian-military collaboration. Drawing on David Galula's insurgency theory, the book examines the CJTF's role in combating Islamic extremism and demonstrates that local peace movements can complement state-led efforts. This analysis fills a critical gap in the literature, offering a unique contribution to the fields of security studies, peacebuilding, and African politics. Ideal for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners interested in alternative peace strategies, community-driven security, and the challenges of countering extremism, this book provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how local and state efforts can work together to achieve lasting peace. It offers practical insights into the evolving nature of insurgency-related peace and its implications for Nigeria and beyond.
More details
Series
Language
English
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
329 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-8819-0212-4 (9798881902124)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Dr. Seun Bamidele has devoted over ten years of his career to the fields of conflict, security, and development studies, with a specialized focus on local security, insurgency, counterinsurgency, and community security. His academic and professional journey integrates research, policy-making, and university teaching, allowing him to develop a nuanced understanding of the social structures and processes contributing to vulnerability in conflict zones. His expertise is particularly centered on West Africa, with a primary focus on Nigeria.Dr. Bamidele holds two PhDs: one in Peace and Security Studies from the Institute of Peace, Security, and Governance at Ekiti State University, and another in Development Studies from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He has consulted for various international organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Currently, he serves as a lecturer and researcher at the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria.His research interests center on the potential of local insurgency-related peace groups, particularly the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Nigeria, and their collaboration with government military forces. Dr. Bamidele applies David Galula's insurgency-related peace theory to analyze unconventional peace strategies and military-civilian cooperation. His work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, including the 'Journal of Asian and African Studies,' 'Development Studies Review,' and 'African Conflict and Peacebuilding Review.'Dr. Seun Bamidele was born in Oyo State, Nigeria, and his upbringing in the country deeply informs his analytical perspective. His research has been further enriched by fieldwork during his post-doctoral research funded by the Gerda Henkel Stiftung in Germany.