Civilians’ Supportive Roles in the Efforts of the State Security Agencies in Combating Violent Conflicts in Nigeria

Abstract

 This paper was an analysis of roles expected of the civilian population in supporting state security agencies’ fight against violent conflict in Nigeria. The onus for the restoration of law and order is statutorily vested on the state security agencies, however, this does not relegate the efficacies of civilians’ support, as some civilians’ attitudes suggest. This study employed qualitative analysis of both primary and secondary data, that span a period of ten years—2011 to 2021. The paper relied on the theory of civil-military relations, which demonstrate symbiotic relationship between the public and security agencies. The paper summarized the civilian’s supportive role into three major conjunctive orders, described as the “EEE gauge”—that is, education, engagement and entrenchment. From the paper’s standpoint, through peace education, individuals’ would development non-destructive approach to conflict resolution. Engagement implies the provision of relevant physical, moral and intelligence support to security agencies during operations. By entrenchment, it is the responsibility of public office holders to create atmosphere of peace, through developmental thrives. It was therefore recommended that necessary basic social and economic support should be made available to the public, which will largely reduce the likelihood of conflictual factors in the society.