Triad of violence: evolution and dynamics of conflict, terrorism, banditry and armed groups in northwest Nigeria

This study is hinged on the theoretical framework of co-existence, convergence, cooperation and competition. It discusses the nature of interaction among armed groups, and their violent activities in northwest Nigeria. The determinants of the connections include geography, recruitment strategy, opportunities for mutual exchange of logistics and co-creation of violence. Bandits are outbidding ethno-religious militias, Ansaru, ISWAP, Boko Haram and herdsmen, and have committed 84% of recorded violence in the region from 2010 to 2022. This study highlights the implications of increasing footprints of armed groups and provides the imperatives for state response to protracted violence in northwest Nigeria. It concludes that the socio-economic problems that allow proliferation of armed groups and violent activities to fester must be addressed by the state. Even if ramped-up security responses turn northwest Nigeria into a police state, violence will continue until poverty, social inequality, injustice and gross failure of governance are tackled.