Formation of Insurgent Groups: MEND and Boko Haram in Nigeria
Abstract
Contrary to earlier notions that religious diversity, ethnicity and the lack of economic development are the main factors responsible for the surge of violence in Nigeria, this article argues that the means of attaining or retaining political authority by politicians are responsible for violent conflicts and the formation of insurgent groups. Using theories of patrimonialism and prebendalism, the article argues that political power and authority are often channelled for personal use in a predatory manner that results in the formation of insurgent groups. The aim of this article is to proffer a different analytical framework for the understanding of the formation of insurgent groups based on political authority.
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- Authors
- Ajala, O.
- Affiliations
- University of York (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Ajala, Olayinka
- ORCID
- Ajala, Olayinka
- Venue
- Small Wars & Insurgencies
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2017-12-22
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 112-130
- ISSN
- 0959-2318 (ISSN-L)
- 1743-9558
- OpenAlex
- W2779234374
- Cited by
- 11
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 4.20
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Small Wars and Insurgencies (publishedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Political Conflict and Governance
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Diverse Research Studies Overview
- Keywords
- MenD, Boko Haram, political authority, patrimonialism, prebendalism, political violence, political elites, Nigeria
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