Civilian Participation in Security Stability: A Case Study of Civilian Task Force in Borno State

This study explored civilian involvement in providing security and supporting the stability of Borno state in Nigeria, specifically by examining the Civilian Joint Task force (CJTF)’s role in this area. The purpose of this study included; to describe how much civilians are involved in security related activities and to measure the effect of their involvement on the overall security situation. Additionally, it attempted to determine what issues or barriers may be present when considering the participation of civilians in providing security. In addition to using a descriptive type of survey research methodology, data collection took place utilizing a total sample size of 345 CJTF participants, security personnel and residents. Data analysis utilized both descriptive statistical techniques and multiple regressions to analyze the data. The results indicate that there was a significant improvement in enhancing security stability due to increased ability for intelligence gathering, increased ability for surveillance, and enhanced community-based monitoring capabilities. Furthermore, findings also supported that there is an extremely high correlation between civilian participation and security stability (R² = .61, p < .05), however several issues including lack of adequate training, lack of effective logistical support, and lack of institutional support to aid in operational efficiency were identified.