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Paper short abstract:

This paper examines the configuration of in/formal policing in Maiduguri and the ways in which the “informal” fills in the gap left by the inefficiencies of the state. Here, I contribute to the discourse on how contemporary realities of policing can shape the future of urban security in Nigeria.

Paper long abstract:

Communities in Borno State, Nigeria, including Maiduguri, have been experiencing violent attacks perpetrated by the Boko Haram insurgent group since 2009. To curb the violence, the government deployed its security agencies to secure the state. Over time, it became evident that the state’s security apparatus could not effectively deal with the insurgency. Thus, in 2013, a hybrid form of “security architecture” emerged with the formation of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) by residents of Maiduguri to complement the counterinsurgency efforts of the state security forces. This collaborative effort apparently contributed to the restoration of relative calm in Maiduguri. Though the insurgent threats have receded, informal security providers (ISPs) like the CJTF still play vital roles in urban security. This paper examines the configuration of in/formal policing in Maiduguri and the ways in which the “informal” fills in the gap left by the perceived inefficiencies of the state and its institutions. Fieldwork in Maiduguri revealed the existence of a complicated network of actors, roles, levels of interactions, engagement and patronage in community policing. Comparatively, the informal security providers enjoy a larger patronage because of residents’ perception of their contributions in the counterinsurgency efforts. Thus, despite negative reports about their roles, the ISPs are generally perceived to be more effective than the police in curbing crime. This paper, therefore, contributes to the discourse on how contemporary realities of policing and urban safety can shape the future of urban security in Nigeria.