A Thief Eats His Shame - Critical Analysis

What is the author trying to do with this piece? What is the central argument? This should be a short response?

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The author tries to delve into the issues that cause vigilante groups in Nigeria. His central argument is that the high levels of threats, theft, robbery and social injustices are the leading cause of vigilante groups. In addition to that, most vigilante groups arise due to the political imagination in the society. However, some vigilante groups are created by citizens to defend their spiritual and ethnic communities. The pathos, logos, and ethos used by the author to explain his idea to ensure that one can understand his perception.

What is the nature of the literature review of this article? Which kinds of arguments (made by which authors?) is the writer critiquing? How does the author see his work fitting into this literature?

The literature review is descriptive and tries to summarize the issues leading to vigilante groups. The Author argues that Vigilante groups ensure that community funds are protected, provide evening court, sponsor young unemployed children and discipline children. This is not a critique but rather an investigation and descriptive analysis of the cause of vigilante groups. The author sees his work fitting the literature because most of his arguments come as a result of different moral imperatives to violence leading to vigilantism.

What does the author imply about the nature of justice and justice distribution in the area of Nigeria under study? In other words, what has happened to the role of the state and local authorities? Why are ordinary people turning to vigilantism?

The author argues that vigilante groups are a form of a retrospective vision of justice in Nigeria. This ensures that social injustices are mitigated in the community. Most people are turning to vigilantism because of the failing police in Nigeria as social injustices continue to rise. Local and state authorities have partnered with vigilante groups to ensure that they work together with the vigilantes. Additionally, the police issues IDs to vigilante groups but in some cases, the police carry out extra-judicial killings to get rid of armed criminals.

According to the author, what is the relationship between the spiritual world and issues of justice in this part of Nigeria?

Most vigilante groups cannot patrol without spiritual protection which is referred to as idem manga. In most cases, this involves buying bulletproof medicines called ato afiono. The initiation of the medication involves eating seven large alligator peppers from the lake. However, this medicine is linked to different health dangers to an individual. During the initiation of the medication a vigilante is expected to keep off sex which might contaminate the medication.

Who do you think is the target audience of the piece? Who is the author intend to read it?

The target for the article can be scholars and human rights activists. This is because the article delves into social issues that affect Nigeria as a country.

Work Cited

Pratten, David. "'The thief eats his shame': Practice and Power in Nigerian Vigilantism." Africa 78.1 1 (2008): 64-83.