Seun Bamidele is a PhD research fellow at the Institute of Peace, Security, and Governance, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. He is presently a lecturer in international relations at Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Nigeria and mostly works with topics related to peace and conflict in Africa, including issues such as land rights and conflicts of citizenship, migration and the new landscape that is emerging with regard to insurgency and geopolitics. Bamidele holds the United Nations training certificate in peace and security from the Peace Operations Training Institute, United States of America and is also a recipient of many international grants, awards, and fellowships including the prestigious Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa fellowship of the Social Science Research Council (2017, 2018, 2019); Trust Africa (2015); Equator Peace Academy, Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda, (2012) and Women in International Security (WIIS), Washington, USA. He has published articles in India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs (SAGE) International Journal on Minority and Group Rights (Brill); African Conflict and Peacebuilding Review (Indiana University Press), and Jadavpur Journal of International Relations (SAGE) and African Journal of Legal Studies (Brill).
Award Information
This study focuses on the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in the north-eastern region of Nigeria, which is a hotbed of the Boko Haram insurgency. It examines the evolution of CJTF as a citizen-driven response to security challenges, with view to examine CJTF as an effective alternative way to combat violent extremism. On many occasions, the CJTF has succeded in arresting Boko Haram terrorists, helped repelled their attacks, and liberated towns and villages captured by Boko Haram. In addition, the CJTF has been a vital link in the intelligence gathering network contributing to successful military operations. The focus of this study is to critically examine the role of the CJTF and interrogate the group, as a community security option to counter-terrorism in Nigeria. The study adopts field research using primary and secondary sources for data collection. The methodological approach is qualitative; I will rely on primary and secondary sources. I have previously done research in these areas in Maiduguri, Borno State, and I will be depending on existing contacts. In other words, the research work is a logical continuation and consequence of my previous degree research work.
