Ethnic Social Movements and the Mobilisation for Militancy in Nigeria

A Case of the Ombatse Movement in Eggonland

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12700/jceeas.2026.6.2.472

Keywords:

Ombatse Movement; Eggonland; Social Movement; Collective Identity; Ethnic Militancy.

Abstract

Ethnic social movements have long been associated with militant activities in post-independence Nigeria and identity is one of the mechanisms with which they mobilise for collective action. Using data from primary and secondary sources, this paper examines the construction and utilisation of collective identity by the Ombatse movement for the mobilisation of support in Eggonland, and the deployment of militancy in Nasarawa State of Nigeria. The Ombatse identity was built around the Ashim religious belief system of the Eggon people and portrayed as a revival of ancestral practices aimed at cleansing the Eggon people from moral vices and misfortunes. This identity attracted many Eggon people because it converged with their other identities, including as practicing Christians and Muslims. It also promised to clean out social vices, witchcraft, evil and misfortunes from Eggonland. Symbolic rituals and practices were used by the movement to build group solidarity and demarcate insiders from outsiders. The resultant widespread support attracted by the movement enabled it to mobilise its members for collective action in protecting the interests of the Eggon ethnic group. This resulted in their assumption of a sustained militant posture that brought the movement into violent conflicts with other ethnic groups and the Nasarawa State government. The paper concludes that collective identity was a powerful mechanism for the mobilisation for support by the Ombatse movement as well as for the deployment of militancy in Nasarawa State. Nonetheless, the resultant growth, popularity and militant activities of the movement also contributed towards its eventual decline.

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Published

2026-09-22

How to Cite

Alumbugu, E., Akut, D., & O. Ogbaji, J. (2026). Ethnic Social Movements and the Mobilisation for Militancy in Nigeria: A Case of the Ombatse Movement in Eggonland. Journal of Central and Eastern European African Studies, 6(2), 249–262. https://doi.org/10.12700/jceeas.2026.6.2.472

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026): JCEEAS - Vol 6. Number 2 2026

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Copyright (c) 2026 Esson Alumbugu, Damian Akut, Julia O. Ogbaji

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