Citation
Bamidele, Seun. 'Sweat is Invisible in the Rain': Civilian Joint Task Force and Counter-Insurgency in Borno State, Nigeria
. Security and Defence Quarterly Vol 31, no. 4 (2020): 171-188. DOI: 10.35467/sdq/130867.
Findings
The author finds support for the hypothesis, "The incapacity of state institutions (the military) to protect the locals from Boko Haram helps explain the state's support of CJTF." The state's inability to differentiate between insurgents and the locals has made it favorable to CJTF. The state enjoys the partnership because CJTF fulfills some of its tasks of protecting locals from Boko Haram. These partnerships help with COIN and have led to the reduction of violence by Boko Haram. While CJTF continues to offer protection to the people, there is a caveat. CJTF is also ready to fight and thus could become a threat to the state if there is any provocation.
The author also finds support for the hypothesis, "Fear of domination, being a victim, fear of assimilation, fear of extinction, and fear of property being taken drives the formation of these citizen groups and explains their continued existence." While fear of Boko Haram drove the locals to support the formation of CJTF, fear of CJTF explains why locals continue to support this non-state actor even when it engages in vandalism and rape.
Tags
Lever of Power: Military Lever of Power: Intelligence Method: Qualitative Geoscope: Subnational UN Region: Western Africa DOD Region: AFRICOM Country: Nigeria Actor: Non-state Target: General Population Target: Leadership Target: Member Type: Article Year: 2020
Research Background
- Research questions
- What should be the role of the CJTF in post-COIN operations?
- What does the continued trust in the CJTF by the locals of Borno State, in spite of their antediluvian activities, say about the state?
- What explains the emergence and endurance of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)?
- Hypotheses
- The incapacity of state institutions (the military) to protect the locals from Boko Haram helps explain the state's support of CJTF. (inferred)
- Fear of domination, being a victim, fear of assimilation, fear of extinction, and fear of property being taken drives the formation of these citizen groups and explains their continued existence. (inferred)
Variables or Concepts
- Independent variables & concepts
- Failure of the state to protect the locals
- Fear of boko haram and civilian force itself
- Dependent variables & concepts
- State support of civilian joint task force
- Formation and survival of the civilian joint task force in COIN
Methodologies
- Qualitative method description
- Case study based on ethnographic field research in Nigeria (120 interviews & archival research)
Time Frame
- Start: 2018
- End: 2019