MILITIAS, VIGILANTES AND VIOLENCE IN SOUTH EAST AND SOUTH SOUTH NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR STABILITY AND DEMOCRACY

Résumé

South East and South South Nigeria have been associated with kidnapping, theft and violence since the last decade. The rate of insecurity and violence state repression has been enhanced and engendered an ever-tightening cycle of impunity. These geo-political zones have been characterized with rapacious violence, robbery and underground movement. The result showed that kidnappers and militias are members of the various vigilante groups. Most youth movement, gangsters, vigilantes among other vices transform into this clandestine activity group. The correlation between the social status of the kidnappers and militias from the response is evident that illiterate stouts predominate the membership of the kidnappers and militia. The findings showed that their modus operandi include impersonation in different forms; they often appear in disguise as military personal, market security operatives, and at time job seekers. The kidnappers result in self-help and selfgoverning, money and status driven culprit who venture into kidnapping. In conclusion, the nature of security network, the growing economic decline and the re-defined values in traditional institutions among others have devoid the values of the people in South East and South South Nigeria.