The Jos Crisis and Narratives of Autochthony and Land

Abstract

Despite the continued presence of the military in Jos, north-central Nigeria for the maintenance of public order, it is apparent that this has only deterred conflicting parties from initiating large scale attack. However, while the presence of the military prevents open violent exchanges, it has not stopped isolated killings which this article posits is principally sustained by constructed narratives of enemy images. This article identifies the use of rhetorical narratives on autochthony and ownership of land and the abuse of supposedly civic platforms for acts that are inimical to civic tolerance and civility have become non-lethal weapons of war...