Counter-terrorism and Civil Society

Civil Society Organisation and Counter-terrorism in North-eastern Nigeria

The rise of terrorism in Nigeria and the government's response by putting in place anti-terrorism laws, policies, and institutions to stop it have made observers and scholars very worried about the effects of these actions on human rights and civil liberties. But there isn't much research on how these policies will affect civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria . This study therefore examined the various elements associated with or implicated in the interface between the counter-terrorism security framework of the government and the capacity of civil society organisations to carry out their mandates in Nigeria. The study utilised mixed methods approach of data collection and analysis. The findings show that the capacity of CSOs to operate is shaped by the politics that places CSOs in the service of the government. It therefore created a convivial relationship in which CSOs advance the interests of the state while being endorsed by the state. The study concludes that the Nigerian government counter-terrorism measures affected CSOs’ capacity to operate in North-eastern Nigeria. CSOs in Nigeria need to be able to work more effectively, so CTMs need to be reviewed. 

Funder: Social Science Research Council/Next-generation Social Science Research in Africa program