Young people in Nigeria are being given weapons to protect some vulnerable villages.

Katsina

In northern Nigeria, particularly in Katsina state, community militias known as Community Watch have been established to confront armed groups amid persistent insecurity. The state government initiated this program two years ago in response to armed groups overrunning several areas, with federal troops unable to provide sufficient protection.

These militias, composed of around 2,200 men and women, have played a significant role in stabilizing some regions by gathering intelligence and supporting security agencies. However, they face considerable risks, with casualties reported among their ranks, and operate with basic weaponry that is often inferior to that of the armed groups they face. While recent logistical support such as reinforced trucks has been provided, concerns remain about the future of these militias and the process of disarmament once their operations conclude.

Nigerian community militias emerge in response to insecurity

In many parts of Nigeria, militias like these are being recruited and trained to confront armed groups. Sometimes, they are the only force standing between rural communities and sudden death. In the northern state of Katsina, the government created what it calls Community Watch two years ago, as armed groups overran many parts of the state. The number of federal troops was inadequate to protect the people. In terms of the gap that we have in terms of manpower, it was actually met. In terms of resources, we complemented, like the issue of supply of vehicles, rifles, and then the issue of motorcycles, so that they can move easily within the terrain. Two years of confrontation between the state's Community Watch forces and criminal gangs known locally as bandits has helped to stabilize many areas, but it's come at a cost. Within just two years, we've lost 15 people to bandit attacks under my command. Most of them were killed in ambushes. Under the Nigerian constitution, the military and police are controlled by the central government, leaving states with little say on when and where they are deployed. As locals, the militias play a crucial role by providing intelligence to security agencies, but they have basic weapons, and the logistics offer little protection from high-caliber munitions. A recent arrival of reinforced trucks could help their operations, but as for their weapons, they'll have to make do with what they have for now. The 2,200 men and women are deployed mainly in areas repeatedly targeted by armed fighters known locally as bandits. They've had training in intelligence gathering and weapons handling, but the arms they have are no match for those the bandits use. There are concerns as to what happens when the operation ends. It's very easy to absorb Community Watch into state policy, and even if that has not happened, we have a disarmament process. For now, the militias remain, protecting people while being targeted by the bandits at the same time. Mohamed Idris, Al Jazeera, Kankara, Northern Nigeria.

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