This study investigates factors underlying adoption of safety behaviours among vicarious victims of Boko Haram terrorism in Sabon Gari, a predominantly Christian community in Kano State. Using the Health Belief Model, data were generated from non-indigenes in Sabon Gari. Findings indicated that participants felt susceptible to being direct victims with expressions such as ‘nobody is safe or sure of tomorrow’ because of their identities as Christians and non-indigenes. Loss of lives, destruction of business, weakened bonds, and feelings of imaginary dangers captured perceived severity. Perceived cost of adopting safety behaviours included an outright ban on evangelism, utilization of visitation and isolation. Adopting cues to action, participants avoided crowded places, and relocated family members to reduce collateral damages of anticipated victimization. Implementation of personal (avoidance of vain talks) and institutional preventive measures (purchase of scanners and organization of security training) constituted control measures to prevent victimization. In conclusion, perceived susceptibility facilitated adoption of safe and secure behaviours.
AdesojiA (2010) The Boko Haram uprising and Islamic revivalism in Nigeria. Africa Spectrum45(2): 95–108.
2.
AgbiboaDE (2013) Why Boko Haram exists: the relative deprivation perspective. African Conflict and Peacebuilding Review3(1): 144–157.
3.
AlbertIO (1997) Kano: religious fundamentalism and violence. In: HéraultGAdesanmiP (eds) Jeunes, Culture de la Rue et Violence Urbaine en Afrique. Ibadan, Nigeria: IFRA & African Book Builders Ltd., pp.285–325.
4.
AlbertIO (1999a) Ethnic and religious conflicts in Kano. In: OtiteOAlbertIO (eds) Community Conflicts in Nigeria: Management, Resolution and Transformation. Ibadan, Nigeria: Spectrum Books, pp.274–309.
5.
AlbertIO (1999b) The role of communication in the escalation of ethnic and religious conflicts. In: UwazieEEAlbertIOUzoigweGN (eds) Inter-Ethnic and Religious Conflict Resolution in Nigeria. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, pp.19–36.
6.
CampbellJ (2014) Boko Haram: origins, challenges and responses. Norwegian Peace Building Resource Centre (NOREF). Policy Brief. Available at: https://www.ciaonet.org/attachments/27796/uploads (accessed 25 July 2015).
7.
CarverATimperioACrawfordD (2008) Playing it safe: the influence of neighbourhood safety on children’s physical activity. A review. Health & Place14(2): 217–227.
8.
ClarkeP (1987) The Maitatsine movement in Northern Nigeria in historical and current perspective. In: HackettRIJ (ed.) New Religious Movements in Nigeria. Lewiston, NY: The Edwin Mellen Press, pp.93–115.
9.
Cohen-SilverRHolmanEAMcIntoshDN. (2002) Nationwide longitudinal study of psychological responses to September 11. Journal of the American Medical Association288(10): 1235–1244.
10.
CotteeSHaywardK (2011) Terrorist (e)motives: the existential attractions of terrorism. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism34(12): 963–986.
11.
CovingtonJTaylorRB (1991) Fear of crime in urban residential neighborhoods: implications of between- and within-neighborhood sources for current models. Sociological Quarterly32(2): 231–249.
12.
DavinsonNSillenceE (2014) Using the Health Belief Model to explore users’ perceptions of ‘being safe and secure’ in the world of technology mediated financial transactions. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies72(2): 154–168.
13.
FalolaT (1998) Violence in Nigeria: The Crisis of Religious Politics and Secular Ideologies. Rochester, NY: University of Rochester Press.
14.
FerraroK (1995) Fear of Crime: Interpreting Victimization Risk. Albany, NY: SUNY Press.
15.
FisherBNasarJ (1995) Fear spots in relation to microlevel physical cues: exploring the overlooked. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency32(2): 214–239.
16.
FisherBSSloanJJWilkinsDL (1995) Fear and perceived risk of victimization in an urban university setting. In: FisherBSSloanJJ (eds) Campus Crime: Legal, Social, and Policy Perspectives. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas, pp.179–209.
17.
GerwehrSHubbardK (2007) What is terrorism? Key elements and history. In: BongarBBrownLMBeutlerLE. (eds) Psychology of Terrorism. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, pp.87–100.
18.
HaleC (1996) Fear of crime: a review of the literature. International Review of Victimology4(2): 79–150.
19.
HickeyR (1984) The 1982 Maitatsine uprisings in Nigeria: a note. African Affairs83 (331): 251–256.
20.
HiskettM (1987) The Maitatsine riots in Kano: an assessment. Journal of Religion in Africa17(3): 209–223.
21.
IbrahimOF (1997) Religion and politics: a view from the north. In: DiamondLKirk-GreeneAOyediranO (eds) Transition without End: Nigerian Politics and Civil Society under Babangida. Ibadan, Nigeria: Vantage Publishers, pp.509–534.
22.
IsaM (2010) Militant Islamist groups in Northern Nigeria. In: OkumuWIkelegbeA (eds) Militias, Rebels and Islamist Militants: Human Security and State Crises in Africa. Pretoria, South Africa: Institute for Security Studies, pp.313–340.
23.
IsicheiE (1987) The Maitatsine risings in Nigeria, 1980–1985: a revolt of the disinherited. Journal of Religion in Africa17(3): 194–208.
24.
KastfeltN (1989) Rumours of Maitatsine: a note on the political culture in Northern Nigeria. African Affairs88(350): 83–90.
25.
KeaneC (1995) Victimization and fear: assessing the role of the offender and the offence. Canadian Journal of Criminology37(3): 431–455.
26.
LubeckPM (1985) Islamic protest under semi-industrial capitalism: Yan Tatsine explained. In: PeelJDYStewartCC (eds) Popular Islam South of the Sahara. Manchester: Manchester University Press, pp.369–390.
27.
MayDCRaderNEGoodrumS (2010) A gendered assessment of the ‘threat of victimization’: examining gender differences in fear of crime, perceived risk, avoidance, and defensive behaviors. Criminal Justice Review35(2): 159–182.
NofzigerSWilliamsLS (2005) Perceptions of police and safety in a small town. Police Quarterly8(2) 248–270.
31.
PainR (2000) Place, social relations and the fear of crime: a review. Progress in Human Geography24(3): 365–387.
32.
PainterK (1989) Crime Prevention and Public Lighting with Special Focus on Elderly People. London, UK: Centre for Criminology, Middlesex Polytechnic.
33.
ParkSM (2005) An International Study of Public Perception of Police Effectiveness, and its Relationship with Crime Rate and Fear of Crime. Master’s Thesis. Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX.
34.
PembertonA (2011) Al Qaeda and vicarious victims: victimological insights into globalized terrorism. In: LetschertRMVan DijkJJM (eds) The New Faces of Victimhood: Globalization, Transnational Crimes and Victim Rights. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer, pp.233–252.
RaderNE (2008) Gendered fear strategies: intersections of doing gender and fear management strategies in married and divorced women’s lives. Sociological Focus41(1): 34–52.
37.
RaderNEMayDCGoodrumS (2007) An empirical assessment of the ‘threat of victimization:’ considering fear of crime, perceived risk, avoidance, and defensive behaviors. Sociological Spectrum27(5): 475–505.
38.
RosenstockIM (1974) The Health Belief Model and preventive health behavior. Health Education & Behavior2(4): 354–386.
39.
RountreePW (1998) A reexamination of the crime–fear linkage. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency35(3): 341–372.
40.
SkoganWGMaxfieldM (1980) Coping with Crime: Victimization, Fear, and Reactions to Crime in Three American Cities. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University, Center for Urban Affairs.
41.
StankoE (1990) Everyday Violence: How Women and Men Experience Sexual and Physical Danger. London, UK: Pandora Press.
42.
StankoE (2001) Women, danger, and criminology. In: RenzettiCMGoodsteinL (eds) Women, Crime, and Criminal Justice: Original Feminist Readings. Los Angeles, CA: Roxbury Publishing Company, pp.13–26.
43.
StockRF (2004) Africa South of the Sahara: A Geographical Interpretation. 2nd edition. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
44.
UsmanYB (1987) The Manipulation of Religion in Nigeria, 1977–1987. Kaduna, Nigeria: Vanguard Printers and Publishers Ltd.
