RADICALISED ARMED GROUPS AND THE CHALLENGES OF DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This chapter examines the motives, goals and aspirations of radicalised armed groups that have been unleashing lethal violence against the Nigerian state. The violent onslaught of these armed groups often poses a major threat to the country’s security landscape and the quest for democratic consolidation. The chapter also explores how the excessive use of force by government as a measure to counter the violent confrontation by the radicalised armed groups, with little efforts to address the perceived grievances of the groups, has worsened the deadly atrocities of these groups against the citizens, infrastructure and security agencies that are the direct victims of their violent activities. The ineptitude of the state apparatus to address the insecurity undermines government’s legitimacy due to its inability to safeguard the lives of its citizenry and poses a major threat to the sustainability of Nigeria’s fledgling democracy.