THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL LEADERS IN MITIGATING VIOLENCE AND ENHANCING PEACE AND HARMONY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Violence is a global phenomenon that exists the world over. The form and manner in which it exists vary from one country to the other. Nigeria has been facing severe challenges of violent acts since her independence till date. These violent acts range from ethno-religious crises, kidnapping, communal conflicts, Boko Haram Insurgency, Niger Delta Militancy, and farmer/herder clashes, among others, which threaten peace and harmony in the country. This study examines traditional leaders' role in mitigating violence and enhancing peace and harmony in Nigeria. The study predominantly relied on secondary data, including journal articles, books, newspapers, etc. Content analysis was employed in the data analysis. The findings reveal that traditional leaders play an essential role in reducing violent acts and enhancing peace and harmony by way of intervening in resolving conflicts such as farmer/herder clashes, the Niger Delta crisis, and so on. Finally, the study suggests that the government should empower traditional leaders more by involving them in resolving conflicts and peace talks.