Probing the Dynamic of Communal Conflict in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

The phenomenon of communal conflict has assumed the posture of ethno-religious conflict in its occurrence and destructive potential in this era of democratic development in Nigeria. Its incessant occurrence has not been matched with scholarly investigations like the way ethno-religious conflict has been explored in Northern Nigeria. Therefore, this article explored the conflict with respect to developments in the North. This becomes essential to enable its causes and dynamics be situated in perspectives for better understanding and proffer of coherent policies to arrest it. The changing contours and security dilemma of communal conflict in the North were discussed. The study, therefore, posited that the various communal crises experienced have enthroned developmental crisis in the North, and if not tackled squarely can aggravate the governance crisis already facing the nation and military take-over may be experienced in the country.