Guardians of Peace

<p>This book offers a new lens on insurgency-related peace focusing on the critical role of local initiatives in addressing violent extremism. It centers on the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) a community-based peace group formed in Borno State Nigeria in response to the atrocities of Boko Haram. With over 26000 members the CJTF has become a significant player in the fight against Boko Haram working closely with the military across both urban and rural areas. Using a qualitative ethnographic approach the book challenges the traditional view that insurgency-related peace efforts are solely the responsibility of the state or conventional security forces. It highlights how local non-state actors like the CJTF contribute effectively to security and peacebuilding shedding light on the complexities of civilian-military collaboration. Drawing on David Galula's insurgency theory the book examines the CJTF's role in combating Islamic extremism and demonstrates that local peace movements can complement state-led efforts. This analysis fills a critical gap in the literature offering a unique contribution to the fields of security studies peacebuilding and African politics. Ideal for scholars policymakers and practitioners interested in alternative peace strategies community-driven security and the challenges of countering extremism this book provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how local and state efforts can work together to achieve lasting peace. It offers practical insights into the evolving nature of insurgency-related peace and its implications for Nigeria and beyond. </p>