ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and Cross Border Violence in Nigeria, 2012-2022

This paper examined the impact of the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons on Cross Border Violence in Nigeria, 2012 – 2022. The motivation for the study came from the volatilities in the West African sub region and the management of cross border violence in Nigeria. The main objective of this paper is to interrogate the contributions of the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons and goods on cross border violence in Nigeria and delineate the challenges confronting the implementation of ECOWAS’ protocol on free movement of persons and goods in the combat of cross border violence in Nigeria. To achieve the objective of the study, the Opportunity-structure theory was adopted as the framework for analysis. Methodologically, the study utilized secondary sources of data which were generated to support the position of the study, and which were analyzed using deductive logic. Findings from the study revealed, among other things, that the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons and goods has increased cross border violence in Nigeria. This is because it reduced the level of immigration and security checks as well as the documentation process for citizens of ECOWAS member states when transiting from one ECOWAS country to the other. Based on the findings, the study recommended, among others that Nigeria, being a leading member of ECOWAS should push for member countries to enact a Border Community Identification Act. This legislation will help to provide a robust document for those living in border communities, especially those whose ethnicities transcends one nationality – e.g., the Fulani. While ECOWAS can propose a draft of this legislation, member states should be encouraged to domesticate same, bearing in mind their peculiarities.