ABSTRACT
The literature on the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) has focused on its contributions in countering terrorism, while others have criticized its operations, particularly their violations of human rights and civil liberties in the Northeast. However, studies that account for the political economy of the emergence of CJTF and its consequences in Nigeria have received marginal attention. We argue that, among other factors, the rentier nature of the Nigerian state and its antecedents of financially remunerating the vigilante industry birth the emergence of CJTF in Northeast Nigeria. Thus, the group’s emergence is not entirely based on a sense of nationalism or patriotism but the quest for economic and political ascendency or survival by elites and impoverished youth populations. We further argue that these have consequences for counter-terrorism operations as groups competing for political and economic relevance would continue to emerge and sabotage or undermine counter-terrorism operations as a way of ensuring their continued relevance in the polity. It also raises questions of the dangers CJTF poses to national security in the future at the end of Boko Haram activities in the Northeast.
