PREFACE

This study focuses on the Origin and Development of Ethnic Militia in the Wukari Area

1945-2005.The main objective of the study is to analyze and discuss the major factors that

encouraged the emergence of ethnic militia in the area of study. The study shows that

manipulation of group‟s diversity by the imperialists and the post-colonial leaders as a result of

their economic and political gains created fertile ground for ethnic conflicts, thus concomitantly

the emergence of ethnic militia in the Wukari area in particular. There is no doubt that, the

activities of the Jukun-Tiv ethnic militia pose a threat to the development and political stability

of Wukari area and the country as a whole. There is need to improve on the conscious effort

towards ethnic integration as a pre-requisite for socio-economic and political development not

only in Wukari area but in Nigeria at large.

The first chapter of the study features the statement of the problem, aim and objectives of

the study, methodology employed in the course of the research and, scope and delimitation of the

study. It also presents the theoretical framework as well as reviews related literature. The second

chapter exposes the historical background of the study area on the eve of colonial domination.

Thus, the geographical location and the relief features of the area are examined. Also, the

peopling and the settlement pattern together with the economic activities are equally discussed.

The third chapter relates and examines the British colonial conquest, domination and

policies in the study area. Moreover, it attempts to link the British colonial policies in the study

area with the gradual ethnic division and suspicion among the ethnic groups. This resulted into

an overt conflict between the Jukun and the Tiv ethnic groups. The fourth chapter examines the

evolution and growth of the ethnic militia in Nigeria and Wukari area in particular. It also

xxvii

analyses the structure of the militia and their roles in the Jukun-Tiv crises of 1990-92 and 2001-

2002.

The fifth chapter contains the implications of Jukun- Tiv crises on the socio-economic