Contemporary conflict resolution in African societies has failed to restore peace and broken relationships. African societies have developed a unique model of conflict settlement, which in the precolonial era, its restored peace and relationships. This research aimed at introducing Tangle conflict resolution. Tangle’s people migrated from Yemen and are now in north Eastern Nigeria, the Southern part of Gombe state, and are found in Akko and Billiri local government areas. The name originated from their king’s greeting, i.e., le Tangal. Using content analysis of interviews, library data and anchored on social capital theory, the paper seeks to identify: Tangle conflict resolution philosophy, structures, changes and causal factors. The philosophical underpinning of Tangle conflict resolution is kong kai pi saba ta bulokbulokki (it is better to pursue a matter while it is fresh), immediate settlement to avert conflict escalation. It has a decentralized institutional structure from the kiwi manna (family head) to Mai yells (supreme King of Tangle kingdom). Integration of the kingdom into the British colony and later English legal system in post independent Nigeria has destroyed Tangle institution, charged with conflict resolution. The paper concluded that Tangale conflict-resolution philosophy and structures have been largely replaced by the English legal system, which has contributed to the lack of peace and unity in the kingdom. Among other measures, it was recommended that the Tangale conflict-resolution philosophy and institutions be constitutionally restored.
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12 April 2025
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