CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1Introduction This chapter positions the study within existing researches and provides a framework for understanding “Public Perception of the Role of the Police in the Communal Crisis between Offa and Ijagbo Community”. This chapter reviews the relevant literatures that are pertinent to the topic of this study. Literature review, according to Oyewole and Olorede (2014:39) is basically a summary of what the academic literature reveals about the subject under investigation. Researchers are to know that literatures are many but they are to review only those that are available and closely related to their studies alone (Ajala, 2012:54). It is important to review literature because it shows what previous researchers have discovered. It is usually quite long and primarily depend upon how much research has previously been done in the area you are planning to investigate (Oyewole and Olorede, 2014:39). 2.2 Conceptual Model Conceptual model according to Wikipedia is a representation of a system, made of the composition of concepts which are used to help people know, understand, or simulate a subject the model represents. It is also a set of concepts. The model for this study is graphically presented below; Public Perception Awareness Understanding opinion Media News Features interviews Communal Clash Offa - Ijagbo Nigerian Police Conflict resolution Reconciliation Peace and order Fig. 1 The above model gives a diagrammatic representation of the Offa-Ijagbo communal crisis, the role the media and the Nigerian police played in the conflict resolution process. 2.3Conceptual Review The conceptual review has to do with reviewing various concepts related to the study. Therefore, topics such as, conflict involving values, understanding violence and conflict, the role of the media in shaping people’s opinion, the importance of media and journalism in the society and many more would be discussed here. 2.3.1Conceptualisation of Conflict Conflict may be seen as a result of a dynamic relationship between interested parties, struggling to gain control of valuable resources. According to Otite (2001), conflict arises when individuals or groups in a defined environment pursue divergent goals, interests and ambitions. When there is a change in the social environment, for instance, the discovery of new resources from development in the physical environment, a fertile ground for conflict is created. The ensuing conflict usually involves individuals and groups who are interested in using the new resources to achieve their goals. He further observes that conflict is a conscious act in which personal or group contact and communication are involved. The term conflict has been variously defined over the years. Among the most common definitions is the one proposed by Coser (1956, p. 8), which views the term as “A struggle over values or claims to status, power, and scarce resources, in which the aims of the opponents are to neutralize, injure, or eliminate their rivals”. Schelling (1960) also states that “Conflict occurs when competing groups, goals, objectives, need, or value clash, and aggression, although not necessarily violence, is a result” (as cited in Cunningham,1998, p. 5). Whereas, Zartman (1991, p. 370) conceives conflict as “An unavoidable concomitant of choices and decisions and an expression of the basic fact of human interdependence.” Park & Burgess (1921) argue that conflict is devised to resolve divergent dualism, and to achieve some sort of unity, notwithstanding its propensity to eliminate one of the conflicting parties. However, conflict should not be perceived as being only a negative, dysfunctional, or disjunctive process, and a communication breakdown, as some scholars tend to suggest. Folarin (1998) agrees with the above by stating that conflict is not necessarily a bad thing; rather, it can be both functional and dysfunctional. According to him, there is general agreement among scholars that development is hardly conceivable in the absence of some form and measure of conflict. He submits by noting that what matters is the way and manner in which the conflict is handled. Though conflict is distinct from competition, struggle, and contest, it is similar to them in that it is a normal process of interaction, more so in complex societies in which essential resources are scarce. Donohue & Kolt (1992) explain that when interdependent people express their differences in the process of achieving their needs and goals, conflict may arise. The co-existence of the differences becomes impossible without some adjustment, yet, neither of the parties may want to shift ground. Sandole (1993) identifies the stages of conflict as initiation, escalation, controlled maintenance, abatement and termination/resolution. He explains that the stages together form a process, and in that process, peace is the ultimate target of conflict or perhaps violence. However, the individuals or groups may not necessarily achieve the initial objective; the conflict may subdue it through negotiated settlement. It is noteworthy, here, that Sandole’s view of conflict seems to be influenced by functionalism. Functionalists believe that all the parties in a society are interdependent, therefore, in the case of conflict; the society evolves a means to resolve it (Wallace & Wolf, 2006). This is, however, not always true as can be seen in the case of Ijagbo and Offa. The conflict seems to be taking the communities farther from peace. Folarin (1998, p. 49) also identifies the following as sources of conflict: Competition over goals and interests that cannot be shared. In this context, conflict arises when communities, individuals or groups compete for interests that are indivisible. For instance, the struggle to gain control of power may lead to conflict. Nigeria operates a multi-party political system and the various parties contest for positions that are indivisible. Major crises arise when one or more of the parties engage in malpractices or when they refuse to accept another party as the winner of an election. In the case of Ijagbo and Offa, land becomes an indivisible interest. Usurpation or attempt to usurp the goals of one component by another component of society. Here, the stronger or more privileged component violates or denies the rights of the other component in a bid to achieve its own aim. When this happens, the deprived party usually attempts to re-establish its position either forcefully or otherwise. A good example of this is the series of military coup in Nigeria. From the first coup in 1966, which installed Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi as the Head of State, to the last official one in 1985, which brought in Major-General Ibrahim Babangida, the military used its superior power to usurp the goals of the civilian government. Nigerians agitated for a return to civilian government and that led to varying degrees of conflicts. Inconsistencies in goals. While allowance may be made for pockets of indeterminacies in all human goals, too many unjustifiable inconsistencies in the goals set by individuals or groups in a society may become a source of conflict. One of the major dimensions of the crisis between Ijagbo and Offa is the failure of the government and political leaders to remain committed to their various promises of development in the area. Increasing desire for autonomy or authority by the different individuals or groups in the community. Conflict ensues when a former subordinate individual or group attempts to secede or exert authority over a wider range of issues. Any effort by the erstwhile dominant party to maintain the status quo may

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CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1Background to the Study Nigeria is a nation with diverse culture, traditions, religion and group of people of divergent root, referred to as the most populous black nation in the world. Away from her achievements and relevance, the nation as all other countries of the world is faced with series of security challenges, one of which is, communal crisis – a dispute between related communities of close historical references. In the North Central region of the country lies Ijagbo & Offa, both communities - geographical, historically, socially and economically related- belonging to Kwara State, are faced with a long time land dispute which has built a visible difference between them in recent times. This crisis however in the making needs the pragmatic effort of the Nigeria Police Force to be curbed and peace be maintained between the two host and warring communities. Police is an important institution in the society, Nigeria inclusive. The primary goal of formal policing is to protect life and property and ensure that society is in stable order. The role of Nigeria police cannot be undermined in communal crisis. The responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force is to ensure we have a safe and crisis free society, and when such need arise, personnel of the Nigerian Police Force shall be deployed to restore peace and tranquillity. There is no community with organisation of human beings that does not have the presence of police in Nigeria (Okunola, 2002). This gives credence to the fact that police is an acceptable organisation. Similarly, relationship between police and host communities is cordial and this perhaps explain some of the reasons which account for the success of police to curb crisis as Offa and Ijagbo’s. Critically speaking, some studies reveal that police is effective in their role to protect lives and properties of people in Nigeria (Onoge, 1993; Okunola, 2002; Odekunle, 2005). The reason for this conclusion is that the presence of police in many communities in Nigeria reduced crisis and people now show maximum cooperation with police to attainpeace. (Odekunle, 2005). Although it is a subject of debate to agree that Nigeria police is effective in crisis management, it is however certain to agree that the presence of police in communities across Nigeria suggests the essentials of the services provided. Conflict and crisis are found at every stage of life. Individuals, groups, associations, communities, local, national and even world communities continue to experience conflicts and crisis in one way or the other. However, when crisis arises, it is the role of the police to quickly swing into action in a bid to keep peace and order between or among the parties involved. Crises and conflicts are features of life and they have been since the beginning of creation. So, they are permanent features of life which we have come to live and cope with and resolve from time to time (Alabi 2010:2). However, a poorly handled conflict or crisis could become violent or destructive which could hinder national peace and security. According to (Olorede 2018:1) journalists deal with conflict very often in their work. But many journalists know little about the idea of conflict. They do not know the different kinds of conflict. Having the skills to analyse conflict will enable a reporter to be more effective professional journalist….. According to a report in national pilot (Feb. 22, 2018), communal crisis is fast becoming a dangerous phenomenon in Kwara State, which should be nipped in the bud. The Share/Tsaragi, the Offa/Erin-Ile crisis, the hostilities between Odo- Owa and Ilofa.Now, Offa and Ijagbo communal clash has joined the list. Another report by Real news magazine (Feb.22,2018) has it that a clash erupted again over land dispute between Offa and Ijagbo communities in Kwara State early on Wednesday, 21st of February 2018, forcing people residing in boarder areas of the communities to flee. Residents, who witnessed the clash told the News Agency of Nigeria 9 NAN) in Omu-Aran, Kwara that the crisis broke out following disagreements over an age-long land dispute between families from the two towns. Reports by (tribuneonlineng.com Feb.21, 2018) has it that schools and business activities were grounded while the exchange of the gunshots lasted as newly renovated Offa Central hotel was vandalized with vehicles and motorcycles around. Investigations gathered that the land tussle was between one Balogun family in Offa and another family in the neighbouring Ijagbo town. The police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Kwara State Police Command Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the development, said “At about 8am report reached the Area Commander Offa, indicating that a land dispute between Ijagbo and Offa communities was getting out of hands. Security operatives from the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Navy were quickly deployed to the communities to ensure peace. (Sunnewsonline.com). A peace meeting was organized by the Chairman Oyun Local Government Area, Mr Omokanye, having the Area Commander and Stakeholders in attendance. Violence however, erupted while the meeting was still in progress, and sounds of gun fire rented the air. The hoodlums shot at the security agents deployed to maintain peace, in the process two Policemen and a Naval rating where injured, and were rushed to the hospital for treatment. Consequent upon this development, a lot of misrepresentation about the role played by the police in the management of the crisis came to fore. It is believed in some quarters that involvement of the security operatives on the disputed land actually dwelled the crisis while in another quarters, it is believed that the timely deployment of the police help in quelling the uprising that the crisis eventually become. It is against this backdrop that this investigation is instituted to examine public perception of the role of the police in the communal crisis. 1.2Statement of the Problem The Police are a very vital organization in the state, and it is their duty to maintain law and order in the society. However, it is commonly believed that the Nigerian Police are usually sluggish in their response to crisis and conflicts in the society. It is to this end that this research undertaking tends to examine the role Nigerian Police played in the communal crisis between Offa and Ijagbo communities. 1.3Objectives of the Study The general objective of this study is the Public Perception of the Role of the Police in the Communal Crisis between Offa and Ijagbo Community and specifically: To investigate if the residents are awareof the role of Police’s involvement in managing the clash. To evaluate the role played by the police in Offa /Ijagbo clash. To evaluate the extent of impact of the role played by the Police. To investigate if factors of age, sex, educational attainment exerts any influence in thePublic Perception of the Role of the Police in the Communal Crisis. Research Questions Are you aware of Police’s involvement in managing the clash between Offa and Ijagbo? How would describe the role played by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force during the clash? To what extent was the Police successful in managing the communal clash? Does factors of age, sex, educational attainment exerts any influence on the public perception of the role of the Police in the communal crisis between Offa and Ijagbo community? 1.3Scope of the Study This research undertaking, covers the examination of the perception of the public as regard the role of the police in the communal crisis between Offa and Ijagbo communities, however, this study will be limited to the residents of the two

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