Peacebuilding in a Conflict-Torn North–Eastern Nigerian Society: Going Beyond Reconstructive Peacebuild

Members of the Boko Haram sect have a preference for the Arabic name Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad which means “People committed to the propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad†. This insurgent group is alleged to have been founded in Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno State, in the North East of Nigeria. It is however argued that the sect is one of the bloodiest militant groups in the world which has continuously targeted both civilian and non-civilian citizens and has constantly inflicted devastating mayhem on the people of the north-eastern Nigeria. With over a decade-long of conflict in that region and its devastating effects in terms of loss of human lives, destruction of properties and infrastructure as well as economic loss, one then begins to doubt the possibility, certainty, practicability, and efficiency of peacebuilding in that conflict-torn society. This paper thus proposes a more tactical and pragmatic approach towards peacebuilding in a conflict-torn society by going beyond reconstructive peacebuilding,