The Nature and Consequences of Armed Banditry in Nigeria: (A Case Study of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina States

Abstract

The study examines the causes and effects of banditry in north western Nigeria with particular emphasisto Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina state. Data were chiefly drawn through survey, where in-depth interviews were conducted with the selected border community leaders, police officers and victims of banditry. The paper analyses the descriptive survey using percentages and frequencies, and further transcribed the qualitative data to support the quantitative results. Findings of the study indicate that banditry is a social evil that continue to inflict injury, leads to raping, loss of lives and properties, sustained grief, fear of victimization and anguish among citizenry. These have been attributed to the influx of ex-combatants with fire arms from neighboring war-torn countries, rising unemployment, inadequate and outdated weaponsused by the security operatives.The paper recommends the adoption of a state policing, training local vigilante group, providing modern security gadget, and alleviate the incidence of poverty through job creation as a panacea to the perennial security threat in the country.