When Death is Not an Option? Empirical Evidence from Ijaw Armed Group Fighters in the Niger Delta of Nigeria

Studies have shown that the ultimate consideration intrastate armed group and/or rebel fighters have is the risk of losing their lives in the course of the conflict they execute. Irrespective of how weak or unprepared their enemies seem to be, they do not gloss over this possibility. To this end, they invest a lot of time, energy and resources in ensuring adequate and effective recruitment, training, and armament to ascertain minimal casualty, at least. But, could there be a case where death is not an option for consideration for armed group fighters? This paper casts its searchlight on the armed group fighters in the Niger Delta who invoke the powers of Egbesu, the deity or god of war and justice as they take up arms against the security apparatuses of the Nigerian state and the multinational oil companies. Theoretically, it draws insights from literature on earlier insurgencies and uprisings in Africa, especially the “magic” African guerrillas. Empirically, the paper relies on data collected through narrative and semi-structured interviews with the fighters during field works in the Niger Delta region. From these data which are coded on MAXQDA software and analyzed by Qualitative Content Analysis method, there is strong evidence that the Ijaw armed group fighters do not consider the possibility of death as a viable option. Egbesu is found worthy of protecting the fighters as long as they abide by its principles and the war is within their understanding of justice. This is a bourgeoning insight in understanding motivations for armed resistance in Africa, the paper argues.