Power, elitism and history Analyzing trends in targeted killings in Nigeria, 2000 to 2017 Hilary Matfess December 2018 December 2018 A NETWORK TO COUNTER NETWORKS Power, Elitism and History: Analyzing Trends in Targeted Killings in Nigeria, 2000 to 2017 Hilary Matfess December 2018 Cover photo: iPhoto/Peeter Viisimaa © 2018 Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the Global Initiative. Please direct inquiries to: The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime WMO Building, 2nd Floor 7bis, Avenue de la Paix CH-1211 Geneva 1 Switzerland www.GlobalInitiative.net ‘Violence has never been an instrument used by us, as founding fathers of the Nigerian Republic, to solve political problems. In the British tradition, we talked the Colonial Office into accepting our challenges for the demerits and merits of our case for self-government. After six constitutional conferences in 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1960, Great Britain conceded to us the right to assert our political independence as from October 1, 1960. ... I consider it most unfortunate that our ‘Young Turks’ decided to introduce the element of violent revolution into Nigerian politics. No matter how they and our general public might have been provoked by obstinate and perhaps grasping politicians, it is an unwise policy.’ – Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s reaction to Nigeria’s first military coup of 15 January 19661 ‘In such a regime, I say you died a good death if your life had inspired someone to come forward and shoot your murderer in the chest – without asking to be paid.’ – Chinua Achebe, A Man of the People v Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime Analyzing Trends in Targeted Killings in Nigeria, 2000 to 2017 Contents Acknowledgements ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1 Acronyms and abbreviations ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1 Summary ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1 Key points .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................2 Methodology ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3 Targeted killings in Nigeria, 2000 to 2017 ...................................................................................................................................................................5 Politicians and political-party affiliates ..............................................................................................................................................................................................6 Patterns of violence against politicians and political affiliates ..................................................................................................... 7 Civil servants ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................9 Traditional and religious leaders ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................11 Cults and campus-related targeted killings..............................................................................................................................................................................14 Businessmen, entrepreneurs and union affiliates .....................................................................................................................................................15 Businessmen and entrepreneurs ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15 Union affiliates ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 16 Journalists ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................18 Secondary targets: Witnesses and family members .............................................................................................................................................19 Security officials: Police officers, the military, bodyguards and vigilante forces .....................................20 A criminal pattern long in the making ....................................................................................................................................................................................21 The fragmentation of authority ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................22 Geographic distribution of fragmentation of authority ............................................................................................................................ 22 Godfatherism ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................23 Secret societies and cults .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................24 Criminality in legitimate organizations ..............................................................................................................................................................................................25 Conclusion and recommendations ....................................................................................................................................................................................................26 Policy recommendations ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................27 Depoliticizing civil servants ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 27 Professionalization of the police force, judicial system and enforcement regimes .......................... 27 The regulation of university cult activities ............................................................................................................................................................................ 27 Regulation of and enforcement of restrictions on firearms .............................................................................................................. 27 Reform of the security vote ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 28 Finding the political will to enact reforms............................................................................................................................................................................