Pro-Government Militias

Pro-Government Militia Website

Zamfara State Vigilante (umbrella org. for various Sharia enforcement vigilantes) (Nigeria)

Basic Group Information

Name assigned by coder: no
PGM ID Number: 408
Country: Nigeria
Date formed: Feb. 12, 2000
    Accuracy of date formed: year
Details of Formation: The vigilante group set up in 2000 by the Zamfara state governor to monitor the observance of the strict Islamic code.
Date dissolved: Unknown
    Accuracy of date dissolved: day
Details of Termination:
Termination Type(s): none

Former and Successor Group Information

Predecessor group(s): none
Successor group(s): none
Private Military Company? no
Former Group? no information
    Former Armed Group? no information
Former Rebel Group? no information
    Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: none
PGM Becomes Rebel Group? no information
    Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: none

Government Relation, Support, and Training

Government Relation: semi-official (type 2)
Created by the Government?: yes
    Main Creating Government Institution: person/minister
Government Link(s): sub-national government
    If link to party, name of party: None
Training and Equipment: yes
Shared Information and Joint Operations: yes
Shared Personnel: no information
Type(s) of Material Support: domestic government
State Sponsor(s): none
Other Connection(s):

Group Characteristics

Membership: religious
Primary Membership: religious
Alternative Primary Membership: no information
Location: Zamfara state
Force Strength: [unknown, 2000]
Target(s): civilians
Purpose(s): self-defense and security; anti crime

Ethnic Characteristics

Ethnic Target(s): none
    Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: not applicable
Ethnic Membership: none
    Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: not applicable
Ethnic Purpose: none
    Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: not applicable

Other Information

Other Information: Vigilante groups under within the Zamfara State Vigilante are Joint Aid Group, Yan Agaji, The Legion, Man O' War, and Civil Defense.

New Variables from Meta-Analysis

Purpose

Purpose: When Sharia laws were instituted in Zamfara state in 2000, the governor created the militia so that it enforces the Islamic Sharia laws. Its purpose was to complement the work of the regular police that is accountable to the federal government.
Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use unknown

Treatment of Civilians

Treatment of Civilians: The militia enforced Sharia law against alleged criminals.
Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: beating

Reasons for Membership

PGM Members Coerced? no information
PGM Members Paid? no information
Reasons for Membership: No information.
PGM Members Killed? no information

PGM Size

Size: The group has about 2,000 men.

Weapons and Training

Weapons and Training: The militia was equipped with batons, swords, knives and axes and received training and donations.

Organisation

Organisation: The governor of Zamfara state was head of the militia.

Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis

Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD.

Evidence