Legal Framework for the Prevention of Violent Sectarian Conflict in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria has enjoyed 61 years of independence from British colonial rule and within this period, several violent sectarian conflicts have been recorded and seems to be increasing. From the first recorded violent sectarian conflict in 1966 which had devastating effects on the Federal Government, to the civil war which threatened the corporate existence of Nigeria. In the 1980s, the Maitatsine Riot saw the reemergence of violent conflict after a period of relative peace. Since then, on and off conflicts continue in parts of Nigeria and have been lingering. There is legal framework in place for the prevention, mitigation and punishment of violent sectarian conflicts in Nigeria. The paper examined the local and international legal frameworks for the prevention of violent sectarian conflicts in Nigeria and the incidences of such conflicts and argued therefore that the legal frameworks are not effective in curbing violent conflicts as it is still evident in continuous recurrence of such conflicts.