An Analysis of Traditional Institutions and Peace Building: A Case Study of Yobe State of Nigeria 2015-2020

Abstract

This study explored the role of traditional institutions in peace building in Yobe State of Nigeria, 2010-2020; it
seeks to identify the causes of conflict, the roles of the traditional institutions in peace building, and the
challenges faced by the traditional institutions in peace building; and proffer possible solutions and way forward
to promote peace building; therefore qualitative method of data collection will be use throughout this research
in achieving this secondary data will be utilize to collect from already prepaid findings of experts including
written materials from published journals, articles, and internet; the study findings supported the propositions
that traditional institutions played a significant role in peace building in Yobe State by way of creating
awareness on peaceful co-existence among their subjects, provided relief materials to victims affected by
insecurity and ensuring their return to their houses as well, as are the specific role traditional rulers played in
managing conflict and ensuring lasting peace in the affected areas, it also finds out that the role played by
traditional institutions in ensuring lasting peace in Local Government Area is effective, this is in the sense that
majority; of the people that were displaced in the era of insurgence have been resettled in some of the
communities affected by the insurgencies in the Yobe State, also individuals from the Hausa ethnic group are
conducting their commercial activities in some the communities that were affected by the insurgencies among
which are kasaisa village, katarko village in Yobe state. The paper concluded that the people generally
acknowledged the importance of the role played by community leaders in resolving conflicts and peace building,
despite the fact that some of the community leaders are corrupt and biased in their judgments. Therefore the
paper recommended the following; Traditional institutions should emphasize cooperation and amicable
settlement of dispute, between and among diverse ethnic and religious groups in their respective domains,
Governments should also provide adequate security personnel, police outposts, arm and ammunitions, as well
as patrol vehicles in various chiefdoms in the affected areas as a measure of being proactive whenever there is
breakdown of conflict in the area.