In response to growing insecurities (Boko Haram/ISWAP) in the Lake Chad Basin, vigilante groups first emerged in 2013 in Maiduguri, Nigeria, (before spreading to Cameroon, Niger, and Chad), intending to protect conflict-affected communities, working with national Defense Forces and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to restore peace and order.

The vigilante study aims to understand the role of vigilantes groups that emerged since 2013 in the fight against violent extremism in the region (Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad), explore and proffer guidance on managing the vigilante groups to ensure effective demobilization and reintegration of the various groups under the Regional Strategy for the Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience. 
 

The study looks at seven affected territories in the region: Far North Region of Cameroon (1. Amchide, Kerawa, Limani, Moskota, and Tolkomari; 2. Chari and Log-one; 3. Mayo Sava and Mayo Tsanaga), the southwest region of Chad (4. Hadjer-Lamis Province and 5. Lac Province), the southeast of Niger (6. the Diffa Region) an,d the northeast region of Nigeria (7. Adamawa, Borno an,d Yobe States).