Age grade system and effective community policing in Igboland

Abstract

Conflict prevention involves proactively addressing underlying causes of tension to avoid the escalation of disputes or violence. Diplomacy, dialogue, intelligence gathering and addressing root issues can contribute to fostering stability and peace in a society. The Igbo has well structured political and administrative institutions that can perform the above highlighted responsibilities if well infused with modern political and administrative structure for curbing insecurity in Igbo land. The age grade system is one of those Igbo political and administrative institutions that are deeply ingrained among the people. Usually, a typical Igbo community is stratified into sets known as Ogbo or Egu in Nkanu dialect. The leader of an age grade is one who possesses outstanding qualities in leadership, dexterity in diplomacy; command the respect of his mates, and to some extent, strongly built for combat. Members of younger age grade in a community serve(d) as the law enforcement agency of the society. This paper, using historical and descriptive methods and relying on primary and secondary sources; will extensively discuss the security roles of age grade in a typical Igbo society and how such roles can be utilized for effective community policing in modern Igbo society and Nigeria in general.