EFFECTS OF BANDITRY ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The prevalence of armed conflict in Nigeria is a notable feature of the country's political landscape today. Boko Haram insurgents have bombed worship centers and attacked government buildings, particularly in the North-Eastern region, leading to a sharp increase in cases of kidnapping, banditry, farmers-herders conflict, and other violent crimes in various parts of the country. These violent crimes have devastating consequences, as stated by Ayodele (2014).

Banditry is a social phenomenon that creates terror and horrific murders, dispossessing people of their lands and possessions, as argued by Obasi, Nwokafor, and Enweonwu (2020). Okoli and Okpaleke (2014) further opine that banditry entails the prevalence of armed robbery or violent crime involving the use of force or threat to intimidate a person into robbing, raping, or killing them.

Banditry activities have taken a heavy toll on virtually all states in the federation, cutting across the six geopolitical zones and resulting in considerable loss of human lives, destruction of property, human suffering, the destruction of infrastructural facilities, disruption of economic and agricultural activities, and anarchy that threatens the internal peace of Nigeria and the entire African continent, as noted by Uzuegbunam (2021).

Banditry in Nasarawa State has become a recurring phenomenon. For instance, in August 2022, gunmen kidnapped Nasarawa State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Yakubu Lawal, while three residents of Nasarawa Eggon were also kidnapped by armed bandits within the same period (Sunday, 2022). Recently, on 22nd July 2023, heavily armed men suspected to be bandits invaded the residence of a former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, and left three security guards brutally injured. The suspected kidnappers shot sporadically in the air and forced their way into Maku’s residence in Ola, Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State around 7:50 pm, according to The Punch Newspaper (Sunday, 2023).

The prevalence of banditry is a significant threat to peace and socio-economic development in Nigeria. The level at which armed bandits operate in Nigeria demands the attention of both the State and Federal governments, mainly since the latter controls the state security apparatus. Unfortunately, this complex situation of social violence and insecurity in the affected states has been ongoing for almost a decade now, as noted by Okoli and Ogayi (2018).

The increasing attacks of bandit groups have led to the destruction of lives and properties, displacement of people from their communities, and an increased number of widows, widowers, and orphans who are displaced from their homes and have to stay in IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) camps due to the continued attacks on farmers by armed bandits across the state, according to Okoli and Ochim (2016).

Several factors account for the prevalence of banditry in Nigeria, as investigations by scholars like Gaye (2018), Olaniyan and Yahaya (2016), Suleiman (2017), and Mustapha (2019) indicate. Some of these factors include the fragility of the Nigerian state, weak state institutions, especially security agencies, availability of grossly ungoverned spaces, porosity of Nigeria’s borders with its neighbouring countries, proliferation of arms, corruption, weak leadership, unemployment, and a high rate of poverty.

The Nigerian police force has the responsibility of maintaining law and order in the country. However, it appears that police officers are overburdened with their duties of securing life and property in the state. Additionally, they are not well-equipped to tackle modern security challenges. Nigeria has a shortage of police personnel, with less than the United Nations' recommended ratio of one police officer for every four hundred citizens. Moreover, the police force suffers from poor salaries, lack of welfare services, and no incentives to boost morale. Citizens' growing social displeasure and lack of trust in the police have made it challenging for successful collaboration between the police force and the citizens, hindering the efficient and effective performance of the police force and other security agencies in fighting bandits. Consequently, this development has affected government efforts to crush banditry in Nigeria.

In light of the recent increase in banditry incidents in Nigeria, this study aims to investigate the impact of banditry on the security of the northern region of Nigeria, with a focus on Nasarawa State.

1.2 Statement of Problem

This study aims to examine the impact of banditry on insecurity in Nigeria, specifically in Nasarawa State between 2015 and 2023. Banditry has become a significant threat, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions. Although the North-West initially served as a haven for this illicit act, the recent increase of banditry in Nasarawa State and other parts of the North-Central is alarming. For example, in August 2022, gunmen kidnapped the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Yakubu Lawal, and three residents of Nasarawa Eggon were also kidnapped around the same time. Additionally, on July 22, 2023, heavily armed men suspected to be kidnappers invaded the residence of a former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, and left three security guards severely injured. The kidnappers shot sporadically and forced their way into Maku's residence in Ola, Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State at 7:50 pm. According to The Punch Newspaper, the intervention of the Army and the police deployed to Akwanga made the bandits flee into the bush.

Unfortunately, banditry and other forms of armed conflict have a lasting impact on Nigeria's socio-political and economic development. Statistics show that many people have lost their lives during the conflicts, while others have suffered permanent injuries. Psychologically, conflicts in Nigeria have caused depression among many victims and their families. There are reports of children losing both parents to the conflict or losing their entire families. Some victims are also maimed and have lost their means of livelihood, leading to depression. In 2015, Nigeria's profile on the list of terrorist nations increased significantly, resulting in numerous humanitarian issues.

Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of banditry on insecurity in northern Nigeria, with specific reference to Nasarawa State, and provide practical measures on how to resolve this phenomenon and achieve peace, progress, and socio-economic development in the region.

1.3 Objectives of study

The study objectives are derived from the research questions:

i. To assess the nature of banditry activities in Nasarawa State between 2015 and 2023

ii. To assess the level of insecurity in Nasarawa State between 2015 and 2023

iii. To establish the effects of banditry in Nasarawa State between 2015 and 2023

iv. To suggest measures on how to resolve banditry and insecurity in Nasarawa State

1.4 Research Questions

i. What is the nature of banditry activities in Nasarawa State between 2015 and 2023?

ii. What is the level of insecurity in Nasarawa State between 2015 and 2023?

iii. What are the effects of banditry in Nasarawa State between 2015 and 2023?

iv. How can banditry and insecurity in Nasarawa State be resolved?

1.5 Research Assumptions

i. Insecurity in northern Nigeria is caused by the negligence of the government

ii. Banditry in Nasarawa State can be resolved through enhanced security by the state and federal government

iii. The level of banditry in Nigeria is a reflection of the country’s security architecture

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study holds both theoretical and practical significance. Theoretically, it provides a valuable reference for researchers, including students, teachers, lecturers, independent researchers, and academic institutions, who wish to explore banditry and other armed conflicts in Nigeria.

Practically, the study plays a crucial role in measuring the impact of banditry in northern Nigeria, particularly in Nasarawa State. It equips law enforcement agencies with better strategies to combat this menace, while also aiding lawmakers and relevant executive agents in enhancing the security architecture of the country to prevent its recurrence.

Furthermore, the study serves as an evaluation tool for both state and federal governments to better understand the nature of insecurity and banditry operations in Nasarawa State. It also offers a supplementary guide to the government on how banditry can be eliminated, and sustainable peace, progress, and socio-economic development can be established in the state.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The focus of this investigation is on the impact of banditry on insecurity in northern Nigeria, specifically in Nasarawa State. Banditry has become a recurring issue in Nigeria, particularly in the northern region. Therefore, this study aims to explore the nature of bandit activities in Nasarawa State, the level of insecurity in the state, and the consequences of such activities.

While this research is concerned with banditry in northern Nigeria, it is limited to Nasarawa State due to its recent increase in banditry incidents. Additionally, the study is limited to the period between 2015 and 2023, when bandit activities became more prominent in Nasarawa State. The researcher considers this timeframe adequate to establish the impact of bandit activities on insecurity, peace, and socio-economic development in the state.

Overall, this research seeks to shed light on the effects of banditry on Nasarawa State and provide insights into potential solutions to improve security and stability in the region.

1.8 Definition of terms

Banditry: In the context of this study, banditry is a social phenomenon characterized by the persistent utilization of force or the threat thereof by a group of unlawfully armed individuals to acquire illicit gains from the populace. This is accomplished through acts such as robbery, assault, kidnapping, or even murder.

Insecurity: This is the prevalence of armed conflict in a given area. Insecurity results in political instability, making it difficult for the government to achieve its set goals/objectives. It also results in socio-economic retardation as the citizens operate in fear. Above all, it causes wanton killings and destruction of property, which further makes people to be displaced or homeless.

Conflict: For this study, conflict is viewed as a situation where an individual, groups, institutions, organisations or even states have incompatible and irreconcilable goals.

Peace: This is the absence of war and the presence of favourable conditions that make human life pleasurable without constituting a threat to humanity and the environment.