NERCT 2021 “Banditry in the north: Nigeria’s other terrorism problem” – online

The second NERCT series event this year is scheduled online for Tuesday, December 14th, 2021, 2:30pm-3:30pm (WAT/CET).

While banditry is not a new phenomenon in Nigeria, it has intensified dramatically over the last two years in northern Nigeria, where raids on villages, mass kidnappings of pupils, and the targeting of farmers in fields have become a daily problem. Moreover, the growing convergence of interests between organized crime and terrorist organizations, such as ISWAP or Ansaru, is catalyzing the dynamics of banditry. Confronted with this new reality, the Nigerian government designated in November 2021 “bandits” as terrorists, hoping the categorization would strengthen the fight against violence in the north.

What are the key changes in the way banditry is conducted in Nigeria? Are “bandits” benefiting more from the overall insecurity situation or are they creating their own conditions for success? How is the convergence of interests between organized crime and terrorism changing the security landscape in northern Nigeria? Did the “comprehensive” approach towards school kidnappings embolden the bandits, and will the new designation lead to improved security in the north?

The panelists include:

Dr. Albert Chukwuma Okoli

Dr. Al Chukwuma Okoli holds a PhD in Defence and Strategic Studies from Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). He is a senior lecturer in Political Science at Federal University of Lafia, Nigeria, where he was the coordinator of the peace studies and conflict resolution program. Dr. Okoli’s research interest revolves around gender & development, liberal political ecology and security studies, in which fields he has researched and published widely.

Murtala Ahmed Rufa’i, PhD

Dr. M.A. Rufa’i is a lecturer at the Department of History, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. His areas of interest and research include: armed groups and reprisal attacks in Sabon Birni District of Sokoto State, rural insecurity and banditry, human displacement and tent life in Sokoto State, farmer/herder conflicts, cattle rustling and armed banditry along Nigeria-Niger borderlands.

The event will be moderated by Uzoma Ikechukwu Kingsley, MD MOSECON Africa and CEO Eagle Rescue and Alarm Systems Ltd., Abuja, Nigeria.

The introduction will be given by Yan St-Pierre, CEO MOSECON GmbH, Berlin, Germany.

To register for this event, please contact us by e-mail at info(at)nerct.com. You can also follow us on Twitter: @NERCT2021.

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