Rethinking reintegration in Nigeria: community perceptions of former Boko Haram combatants

Abstract

Since the emergence of Boko Haram and its terrorist activities in Nigeria, policy initiatives have included deradicalisation and reintegration of former combatants to curtail extremism and bolster stability. Central to deradicalisation is the efficacy of reintegration programmes. While much emphasis is placed on recidivism as a basis for determining the efficacy of reintegration programmes, studies on how communities perceive the reintegration of deradicalised former combatants, and those labelled terrorists, are scarce. To address this issue of the quality of reintegration programmes, a qualitative method using semi-structured interviews was employed for this study. Twenty-four Christian and Muslim participants were recruited from Lagos and Plateau states in Nigeria. Thematic data analysis was deployed from a social identity theoretical framework. The study found perceived indifference and fear regarding the ability of former Boko Haram combatants to genuinely reform or repent from terrorist acts. The study therefore recommends the provision of context-specific counter-narratives that shift the perceived public fear of unrepentant former combatants to a more positive outlook. Such optimism can embrace reconciliation to aid the successful reintegration of former terrorist combatants into Nigerian communities.

Keywords:

• Boko Haram
• community
• former terrorist combatants
• Nigeria
• reintegration

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tarela Juliet Ike

Tarela Juliet Ike is a Lecturer in criminology and policing with research interests and specialism in terrorism, counterterrorism, and peacebuilding in a post-conflict context. She is also a recipient of the 2018 best article award from the British International Studies Association Royal African Society Postgraduate paper prize. She has also published in areas concerning reintegration in post-conflict settings, and has been involved in research that informs government policies.

Danny Singh

Danny Singh is a Senior Lecturer in politics and international relations with research interests largely in criminology, international terrorism and corruption in war-torn contexts. Danny’s studies include mechanisms of crime control within indigenous environments, namely in developing and war-torn contexts. Danny’s research also spans other criminology-related disciplines. These include international terrorism and human rights, as well as criminology related to police corruption, state corruption and methods of crime control.

Dung Ezekiel Jidong

Dung Ezekiel Jidong is a Lecturer in psychology with expertise on mental health within the African and Caribbean contexts. Dung’s PhD research received accolades such as the 2017 and 2018 Delegates Choice Poster Winner at the British Psychological Society (BPS) Annual Conferences in Brighton and Nottingham, UK.

Sean Murphy

Sean Murphy is a Senior Lecturer in youth works with research interests in youth justice, culture, identity and belonging. Sean has developed key specialisms in a range of topics, including youth work practice, childhood and youth studies. Sean has also been engaged in systematic review concerning reintegration in post-conflict settings.

Evangelyn Ebi Ayobi

Evangelyn Ebi Ayobi is a Research Assistant with expertise in data retrieval and literature synthesis. Evangelyn has engaged in research and systematic synthesis related to reintegration in post-conflict settings.