ETHICS OF VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA SAMSON ELIAS MIJAH N.C.E., (UNIMAID.), B.Ed., (A.B.U.), M.A., (UNIJOS.). PGA/UJ/11332/00 A thesis in the Department of RELIGIOUS STUDIES, Faculty ofArts. Submitted to the School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Jos, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Award of the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY of the UNIVERSITY OF JOS OCTOBER 2005 ii CERTIFICATION This is to certify that the research work for this thesis and subsequent preparation of this thesis by Samson Elias Mijah (PGA/UJ/11332/00) were carried out under my supervision. _________________________ ________________________ Supervisor Head of Department Professor Cyril O. Imo (Ph.D) Rev. J.M. Kangdim (Ph.D) _________________________ ________________________ Dean, Faculty of Arts Internal Examiner _________________________ ________________________ External Examiner Dean, School of Post- Graduate Studies. iii DECLARATION I, Samson Elias Mijah, do hereby declare that, apart from the references cited in this work, for which I have duly acknowledged, this work is the result of my own research. To the best of my knowledge, this thesis has neither in whole nor in part been presented for another Doctorate Degree (Ph.D) elsewhere. _____________________ SAMSON ELIAS MIJAH OCTOBER 2005 iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My gratitude goes first, to God Almighty who graciously sustained me through the rigours, pains and joy of this terminal degree of a Ph.D. I acknowledge with thanks, the indefatigable supervisory role of Professor Cyril O. Imo, of the Department of Religious Studies, University of Jos. He has at several times availed himself to me for pure academic digest in respect to this thesis. On several occasions, he also gave me the opportunity of using his library. I remember with respect the love and concern of my parents, Reverend Elias Mijah and Mrs. Na’omi Elias Mijah. They were most understanding throughout the difficult period of my absence. I really missed their parental warmth. I acknowledge the courageous efforts of my humble wife, Alice Samson Mijah and our children, Reuben, Sondimba, Yinasim and our Twin-daughters, Peace and Praise. They really missed my fatherly care and love as a result of my frequent absence, even though some of them could not really understand the reason for that. To the authorities of Federal College of Education Yola, I say thank you for granting me study fellowship despite the competitive openings within the College. Of great importance also is the Head of my Department, Mr. Blo Johnson Malgwa, Mr. Douglas Jalo, the Dean, School of Arts and Social Sciences, Mrs. Saratu J. Malgwa and Mr. John Kwayas, who took the responsibility of teaching my courses in my absence. I also thank Mr. N.I. Luku of the v Department of Social Studies, F.C.E. Yola, for his elderly advice and moral support. One of the most interesting parts of my Ph.D programme has been the brain storming sessions during the compulsory seminar presentations. I had the privilege of professorial discussions with the Professors of the Department. Some of these professors included Professor D.N. Wambutda and Professor M.T. Yahya. I also enjoyed the valuable contributions, support and discussions of the remaining Lecturers of the Department. Most notable among these lecturers are Dr. U.H.D. Danfulani, (Reader), Reverend Ibrahim Musa Ahmadu (Reader), Mr. J.D. Gwamna, Dr. Musa A.B. Gaiya and Dr. Danny McCain. They have on several occasions assisted me with relevant literature on my research work even at the time I least expected. I also enjoyed the humorous relationship of every non- teaching staff of the Department of Religious Studies, University of Jos. I thank them for their encouragement and concern over my studies and my family in general. I acknowledge the services of several institutions and research centres. First among these is the Theological College of Northern Nigeria, (T.C.N.N.) Bukuru, Jos. The assistance of the library staff is quite commendable. My gratitude also goes to Rev. Jerry Audu and Rev. A’aron Ndirmbita of the same College for their friendly disposition, spiritual and financial assistance. The libraries of the National War College, Abuja, National Institute of Peace and vi Conflict Resolution, Abuja, National Library, Jos, and Saint Augustine’s Major Seminary, Jos, were immensely useful. I acknowledge the financial assistance of the following people. My brothers, Mr. Zion Elias Mijah and Pandemo Lawi Giwa, my sisters, Mrs. Rita Maiyaki, H.I.E. Mijah and my friends Mr. Nelson T. Hundumofore, Mr. O. A. Okarazo, Mr. Sini Tumba, Mr. Spano Warigon, Mr. Peter Clement, Honorable John Ngamsa and Prince Medan Fwa. I also thank Mr. Habila Miner of Plateau Radio and Television Corporation (P.R.T.V.C.), Jos. He has unceasingly encouraged me academically, morally and financially in the course of my research. Mr. Moses Kundwal of Physics Department Federal College of Education, Yola, has been resourceful. He assiduously took over my fatherly responsibilities, even when things were tough in my absence. May God Almighty bless him. I appreciate the continuous encouragement of my resident Pastor, Dr. Irmiya Tadugorrono of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, Lower Luggere, Jimeta-Yola District. The contribution of Dr. Leonard Kursim Fwa of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, is worth mentioning. He assisted me with much literature and gave financial assistance. I am highly indebted to my Ph.D colleagues and postgraduate students of the Department of Religious Studies, University of Jos. Worthy of mention is my classmate and dear friend, Late Vincent Danlami Parlong who died in the course vii of our Ph.D programme. He had successfully been upgraded from M. Phil., to full Ph.D status when the claws of death took him away. I enjoyed his friendly disposition and transparent honesty. I missed his critical and academic discussions of our research areas. Other colleagues are Mrs. Magdalyn A. Mbawerem, Mr. Simon Mwadkwon, Mr. James Kiamu and Mr. Shittu Uhud. They have on several occasions been of assistance to me through various ways. Countless are the anonymous contributors who at several times shared their opinions with me through oral discussions and comments over my topic. Most especially are my respondents and those who assisted in distributing the questionnaire I used in this thesis. To all these people and those not mentioned, I remain indebted. SAMSON E. MIJAH viii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my parents, Reverend Elias Mijah and Mrs. Na’omi Elias Mijah who have been the architects of my education. ix TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE TITLE … … … … … … … … … … i DECLARATION … … … … … … … … ii CERTIFICATION … … … … … … … … iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT … … … … … … … iv DEDICATION … … … … … … … … vii TABLE OF CONTENTS … … … … … … … ix LIST OF TABLES … … … … … … … xiv ABBREVIATIONS … … … … … … … … xvi ABSTRACT … … … … … … … … … xix CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY … … … … … 1 1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM … … … … … 2 1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY … … … … … 15 1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY … … … … … 16 1.5 JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY … … … … … 17 1.6 METHODOLOGY … … … … … 18 1.7 SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY … … … 21 1.8 CLARIFICATION OF TERMS … … … … … 23 1.8.1 Ethics … … … … … … … … 23 1.8.2 Morality … … … … … … … … 24 1.8.3 Violence … … … … … … … … 25 1.8.4 Justice … … … … … … … … 26 x CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 PREAMBLE … … … … … … … … 28 2.2 SOURCES OF VIOLENCE IN HUMAN BEING … … … 29 2.2.1 Innate Sources of Violence … … … … … 29 2.2.2 External Sources of Violence … … … … … 31 2.3 VARIOUS ATTITUDES TOWARDS VIOLENCE … … … 35 2.3.1 The Inevitability of Violence … … … … … 35 2.3.2 Total Pacifism … … … … … … … 37 2.3.3 Partial pacifism … … … … … … … 40 2.3.4 The Just-war Theory … … … … … … 40 2.4 RELIGIOUS GROUNDS FOR JUSTIFICATION OF VIOLENCE … 42 2.4.1 Doctrine of War and Violence in Theravada Buddhism … … 43 2.4.2 Hinduism and the Doctrine of War and Violence … … … 44 2.4.3 War and Violence in Judaism … … … … … 46 2.4.4 Islam and the Teaching of War and Violence … … … 48 2.4.5 Christian Doctrine on War and Violence … … … … 52 2.5 NON RELIGIOUS GROUNDS FOR JUSTIFICATION OF VIOLENCE 54 2.6 MORALITY AND VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA … … … … 58 2.7 RELEVANCE OF FINDINGS FROM RELATED LITERATURE TO THE STUDY … … … … … 62 CHAPTER THREE: THE PLURALITY OF NIGERIA AND DIFFERENT KINDS OF VIOLENCE 3.1 PREAMBLE … … … … … … … … 66 3.2 DIFFERENT KINDS OF VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA… … … 67 3.2.1 Political Violence in Nigeria from 1960-1979 … … … 67 xi 3.2.2 Religious Violence In Nigeria From 1980-2002 … … … 75 3.2.3 Ethnic Violence in Nigeria … … … … … … 83 3.2.4 Socio-Economic Violence … … … … … … 93 3.2.5 Other Forms of Violence in Nigeria … … … … 94 CHAPTER FOUR: DIFFERENT VALUE SYSTEMS AND VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA 4.1 PREAMBLE … … … … … … … … 97 4.2 DIFFERENT VALUE SYSTEMS INHERITED BY NIGERIANS … 98 4.2.1 Traditional Values and Violence … … … … … … 99 4.2.2 Religious Values and Violence … … … … … 108 4.2.3 Colonial Values and Violence … … … … … 117 4.2.4 Western/Modern Values … … … … … … 126 CHAPTER FIVE: DIFFERENT VALUE SYSTEMS AS SOURCES OF VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA 5.1 PREAMBLE … … … … … … … … 129 5.2 TRADITIONAL CULTURAL VALUES AND THEIR PROPENSITY TO STIMULATE VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA … … 129 5.2.1 Findings from the Questionnaires … … … … … 136 5.2.2 Discussion and Analysis of Findings … … … … 146 5.3 RELIGIOUS VALUES AS SOURCES OF VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA … 153 5.3.1 Findings on Ethics of Violence as it Relates to Religious Violence