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1 Francesca Batault, et al., Understanding the Legacies of Drug Use in Armed Groups in the North East of Nigeria 1 (2026)

handle is hein.unl/udtthlec0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Understanding the Legacies of Drug Use in Armed Groups in the North East of Nigeria Francesca Batault * Moritz Hoene * Dr Jente Althuis Mohammed Bukar * Fatima Yetcha Ajimi Badu Armed conflict and black markets - arms trafficking,' illegal resource extraction,2 or narcotic drugs3 - are deeply intertwined. Unlike other illicit industries, drugs are not only a key source of revenue for many armed groups, but also a strategic tool used to sustain violence and control fighters.4 At the same time, individuals associated with armed groups have, in other regions, relied on illicit (and licit) substances to enhance aggression and endurance on the battlefield and cope with the physical strain, trauma and psychological stress of war after exit.5 Exposure to conflict presents several risk factors for substance abuse, such as mental health disorders includingtraumatic stress disorder(PTSD), injuries sustained during conflict, and difficulties transitioning backto civilian life, including interpersonal challenges and difficulties securing employment.6 Against this backdrop, this brief examines drug use among those once - or currently - involved in the conflict in the North East of Nigeria, including former associates of both Boko Haram7 factions - Jama'at Ahl al-Sunna li al-Da'wa wa al Jihad (JAS) and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) - as well as affiliates of community security actors such as the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and the Yan Gora and drug use by their unaffiliated peers. It raises questions about how drug use intersects with conflict dynamics and reintegration outcomes and highlights potential implications for policymakers and practitioners working on conflict prevention, disengagement, and reintegration efforts.