NILE UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

AN ASSESSMENT OF ETHNIC MILITIA ACTIVITIES AND SECURITY

CHALLENGES IN GWAGWALADA COUNCIL AREA OF ABUJA

BY
SANI DAUDA BILAL
201602005

BEING A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF

CRIMINOLOGY FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (FASS), NILE
UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, ABUJA, NIGERIA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.Sc.) DEGREE IN
CRIMINOLOGY

APRIL 20
 CERTIFICATION

I, BILAL with registration number 201602005, hereby certify that this B.Sc. project titled

“AN ASSESSMENT OF ETHNIC MILITIA ACTIVITIES AND SECURITY

CHALLENGES IN GWAGWALADA COUNCIL AREA OF ABUJA” has been carried out

by me under the supervision of DR. ORGYE D.OKOLO. It has not been presented for award

of any degree in any institution. All sources of information are specifically acknowledged by

means of references.

_______________________ ____________________

SIGNATURE DATE
 APPROVAL

This is to certify that the research project “AN ASSESSMENT OF ETHNIC MILITA

ACTIVITIES AND SECURITY CHALLENGES IN GWAGWALADA COUNCIL AREA

OF ABUJA” by Bilal with the registration number 201602005 has been approved having

satisfied the condition for the award of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Criminology at

the Department of Criminology And Security Studies in Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja,

Nigeria.

_______________________________ _____________________
DR. ORGYE D. OKOLO DATE
(PROJECT SUPERVISOR)

___________________________________ _____________________
PROF DATE
(HEAD OF ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT)

____________________________________ _____________________
PROF. JIDE OLADIPO DATE
(DEAN FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES)

____________________________________ _____________________
EXTERNAL SUPERVISOR DATE
 DEDICATION

I dedicate this project to Almighty Allah, who has guided and blessed me throughout this
academic journey. I am grateful for His grace and wisdom, which have been the foundation
of my strength and perseverance.
To my dear parents, whose love and encouragement have been a constant source of
inspiration, thank you for always believing in me and instilling in me the values of hard work
and determination, your unwavering support has been instrumental in my success.
I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to my dedicated lecturers, whose knowledge,
guidance, and mentorship have shaped my intellectual growth.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my project supervisor and

the criminology department of Nile University for providing me with the invaluable
opportunity to undertake this remarkable project titled "the effect of exchange rate on
Nigeria’s government revenue." Their support and guidance have been instrumental
throughout my research, enabling me to explore new horizons and acquire profound
knowledge in the field. I am genuinely appreciative of their contributions.
Additionally, I extend my heartfelt thanks to my parents and friends who have provided
immense support and assistance in the completion of this project within the given time
constraints. Their encouragement and assistance have been invaluable, and I am truly grateful
for their unwavering presence.
 ABSTRACT
The study examines the assessment of ethnic militia activities and security challenges in
Gwagwalada council area of Abuja 1990 to 2023. The analysis utilises well collected through
structured questionnaires administered to selected respondents., The study's findings and
recommendations are relevant not only to Gwagwalada Area Council, but also to other
communities experiencing similar challenges the study highlight the need for a multi-faceted
approach to address the root causes of ethnic militia activities, including political instability,
ethnic discrimination, and social exclusion. As such, the study contributes to the broader
literature on ethnic conflict and peace building, and offers practical insights for
policymakers, community leaders, and other stakeholders seeking to address ethnic militia
activities and promote peace and stability in diverse communities.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Certification . . . . . . . . . i
Approval page . . . . . . . . . ii
Dedication . . . . . . . . . . iii
Acknowledgement . . . . . . . . . iv
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . v
Table of contents . . . . . . . . . vi
List of tables . . . . . . . . . viii
List of figures . . . . . . . . . ix
CHAPTER ONE . . . . . . . . . 1
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1 Background to the Study. . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem.. . . . . . . . 4
1.3 Research Questions. . . . . . . . . 6
1.4 Objective of the study. . . . . . . . . 6
1.5 Significance of the study . . . . . . . . 6
1.6 Scope of the Study. . . . . . . . 6
1.7 Definition of terms. . . . . . . . . 7
CHAPTER TWO . . . . . . . . . 8
LITERATURE REVIEW. . . . . . . . 8
2.1 Conceptual Review . . . . . . . . 8
2.1.1 Concept of Ethnic militia. . . . . . . .
2.1.2 Security
2.2 Empirical Review . . . . . . . . . 12
2.2.1 Manifestation of ethnic militia in Nigeria.
2.2.2. Security challenges Associated with Ethnic Militias
2.2.3 Practical measures to Control Ethnic Militia in Nigeria
2.3 Theoretical Review . . . . . . . . 14
2.3.1 Structured Functionalism Perspective
2.3.2 Conflict Theory
CHAPTER THREE . . . . . . . . . 22
METHODOLOGY . . . . . . . . . 22
3.1 Location of the study . . . . . . . . 22
3.2 Research Design . . . . . . . . . 22
3.3 Method of Data Collection . . . . . . . 23
3.4 Technique for Data Analysis . . . . . . . .24
3.5 Justification of Method
CHAPTER FOUR . . . . . . . . . 30
DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION . . . 30
4.1 Demographic Characteristics . . . . . . . .30
4.2 Sociopolitical Factors for the Rise of Ethnic Militias . . . . . 31
4.3 Challenges Posed by Ethnic Militias . 33
4.4 Measures to Control Ethnic Militia Activities . . . . . 35
4.5 Discussion of Finding . . . . . . . 35
CHAPTER FIVE . . . . . . . . . 40
SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION . . . 40
5.1 Summary of the Findings . . . . . . . . 40
5.2 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . 41
5.3 Recommendation . . . . . . . . 41
5.4 limitations of Study
5.5 Recommendations for Further Research
REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . 42
APPENDICES . . . . . . . . . 46
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 4.1 : Demographic Characteristics of Respondents . . . . .24

Table 4.2: Sociopolitical Factors Contributing to the Rise of Ethnic Militia . .30
Table 4.3: Sociopolitical Factors Contributing to the Rise of Ethnic Militia . 31
Table 4.4: Political Security Challenges Posed by Ethnic Militia . . . .32
Table 4.5: Social Security Challenges posed by Ethnic Militia . . . .33
Table 4.6: Political Measures to Control Ethnic Militia . . . . 33
Table 4.7: Social Measures to control Ethnic Militia . . . . . .34