INTERROGATING THE TRIGGERS OF SUBCULTURE OF VIOLENCE AND ITS IMPLICATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Violence has left a mark on countries across the globe. The chief cause and/or trigger of violence differ among countries including its consequences.  Containing spates of violence remains a traditional responsibility of any constituted authority especially in a democracy. The triggers of violence in Nigeria are quiet unique given our ethno-religious composition and the topography. This study set out to interrogate the triggers of violence and the implication of violence through the navigation of pyramid of secondary data. The study complements existing findings which focus on arms proliferation, drug abuse and porous border as triggers of violence in Nigeria. Findings of this study expanded the frontiers of triggers of violence by suggesting that, violence has become part and parcel of Nigeria being due to the unanswered question of ethnic minority, police brutality, charms and the monster of unemployment.  These trigger violence in the form of communal conflict, election violence, oil violence, intimidation and harassment of private individuals, violent protest and other forms of threats to social cohesion. Consequent upon this, there were cases of indiscriminate killing and maiming, internal displacement and wanton destruction of social and economic properties. Efforts are needed to redress the perennial issue of minority question and the attitudinal reformation of people on the use of charms in Nigeria.