Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-8bhkd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T06:26:09.869Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Juju and Justice at the Movies: Vigilantes in Nigerian Popular Videos

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 May 2014

John C. McCall
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract:

This article examines the rise of vigilantism in southeastern Nigeria. Two opposing discourses on Nigerian vigilantism are examined. The first is characterized by the valorization of vigilantes as heroes in popular Nigerian video movies. The second is represented by a recent Human Rights Watch (HRW) report denouncing die vigilantes as criminals. My research utilizes ethnographic research to contextualize the video movies as a means toward understanding the ideological gap between these discourses. A close analysis of the Issakaba video series reveals a subtle treatment of the vigilante phenomenon designed to appeal to an indigenous perspective that is cognizant of the inherent risks of vigilante justice but also aware of the limitations of reform strategies such as those proposed by the HRW report.

Résumé:

Résumé:

Cet article examine la montée du vigilantisme dans le sud est du Nigeria. Il analyse deux discours opposés sur le vigilantisme nigérien. Le premier est caractérisé par la valorisation des membres de groupes qui s'emparent de la loi pour administrer leur propre justice jusqu'à en faire des héros dans les films vidéo populates nigériens. Le second est représenté par un rapport récemment publié par Human Rights Watch (HRW) dénonçant les membres des organisations vigilantistes comme des criminels. Ma recherche utilise la recherche ethnographique afin de contextualiser les films vidéo et de les interpréter comme un moyen pour comprendre l'écart idéologique qui sépare ces deux discours. Une analyse approfondie de la série vidéo Issakaba révèle un traitement subtil du phénomène du vigilantisme dans le but d'attirer une perspective indigène consciente des risques inhérents à la justice prodiguée par le vigilantisme, mais sensibilisée aux limites que présentent les stratégies de réforme comme celles qui sont proposées par le rapport de HRW.

Type
Research Article
Information
African Studies Review , Volume 47 , Issue 3 , December 2004 , pp. 51 - 67
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 2004

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

References

Videos

hsakaba. 2000. Chukwuka Emelionwu, story. Lancelot Oduoa Imasuen, director. KAS-VID & MOSCO, Lagos.Google Scholar
hsakaba 2. 2001. Chukwuka Emelionwu, story. Lancelot Oduoa Imasuen, director. KAS-VID & MOSCO, Lagos.Google Scholar
hsakaba 3. 2001. Chukwuka Emelionwu, story. Lancelot Oduoa Imasuen, director. KAS-VID & MOSCO, Lagos.Google Scholar
hsakaba 4. 2001. Chukwuka Emelionwu, story. Lancelot Oduoa Imasuen, director. KAS-VID & MOSCO, Lagos.Google Scholar
Abuja, Philipson. 2002. “I Was Raped for 60 Days.” The News ((Lagos). 10 22. http://allafrica.com/stories/200210220155.html.Google Scholar
Achebe, Chinua. 1959. Things Fall Apart. New York: Fawcett Crest Books.Google Scholar
Achebe, Chinua. 1984. The Trouble with Nigeria. London: Heinemann Educational Books.Google Scholar
Akwani, Obi. 2002. “The Truth about the Bakassi Boys.” http://www.gamji.com/NEWS1606.htm.Google Scholar
Baker, Bruce. 2002. “When the Bakassi Boys Came: Eastern Nigeria Confronts Vigilantism.” Journal of Contemporary African Studies. 20 (2): 223–44.Google Scholar
Basden, G. T. 1921. Among the Igbo of Nigeria. Lagos: University Publishing.Google Scholar
Ekeh, Peter. 2002. “A Review of HRW's and CLEEN's Report ‘The Bakassi Boys: The Legitimization of Murder and Torture’ on State Sponsored Vigilante Groups in Nigeria.” http://www.africaresource.com/scholar/ekeh3.htm.Google Scholar
Elekwachi, Francis. 2003. “Killing Bakassi Boys: Et Tu Ogbulafor.” Nigerian News. http://www.nigeriannews.com/KillingBakassiBoys.htm.Google Scholar
Foucault, Michel. 1977. Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. New York: Pantheon Books.Google Scholar
Harnischfeger, Johannes. 2003. “The Bakassi Boys: Fighting Crime in Nigeria. The Journal of Modern African Studies. 41(1): 23–49.Google Scholar
Haynes, Jonathan, ed. 2000. Nigerian Video Films. Athens: Ohio University Center for International Studies, Africa Series no. 73.Google Scholar
Hives, Frank. 1930. Ju-ju and Justice in Nigeria. London: John Lane.Google Scholar
Human Rights Watch/CLEEN. 2002. “The Bakassi Boys: The Legitimization of Murder and Torture.” Human Rights Watch]CLEEN 14 (5).Google Scholar
Igbikiowubo, Hector. 2003. “Halliburton's $5m Tax Evasion Scandal Attracts Calls for Disclosure.” Vanguard. 05 27. http://allafrica.com/stories/200305270403.html.Google Scholar
Ibe, Simon. 2004. “Ethnic Groups Mobilise for National Conference.” Daily Champion. (Lagos) 05 28. http://allafrica.com/stories/200405280258.html.Google Scholar
Leopold, Jason. 2003. “Halliburton and the Dictators: The Bloody History of Cheney's Firm.” Counterpunch. 04 16. http://ccmep.org/2003_articles/Iraq/041603_halliburton_and_the_dictators.htm.Google Scholar
Mbembe, Achille. 2001. On the Postcolony. Berkeley: University of California Press.Google Scholar
McCall, John. 2002. “Madness, Money, and Movies: Watching Nigerian Popular Videos with a Native Doctor's Guidance.” Africa Today. 49 (3): 78–94.Google Scholar
Nwana, Harry. 2000. “Who Are the Bakassi Boys?” Vanguard. 12 28. http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/West_Africa/0,1113,2-11-998_1032011,00.html.Google Scholar
Talbot, P. Amaury. 1923. Life in Southern Nigeria. London: Macmillan.Google Scholar
Talbot, P. 1932. Tribes of the Niger Delta. New York: Barnes and Noble.Google Scholar
United Nations. 2002. “Nigeria: Focus on Rising Cases of Political Assassination.” UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Integrated Regional Information Network, http://www.irinnews.org/advsearch.asp.Google Scholar
Ujumadu, Vincent. 2002. “Police Raid 5 Bakassi Boys' Strongholds, Free 46.” Vanguard. 08 9.Google Scholar