FORMS OF BANDITRY AND THEIR IMPACT ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF THE PEOPLE OF ZAMFARA CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT, ZAMFARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Banditry, especially in Northwestern Nigeria, is one of the major setbacks hindering the progress of the region and the country at large. The menace of banditry has posed serious security challenges to Zamfara state in general and the central senatorial district in particular. This study, therefore, analyzed the forms and impact of banditry on the socioeconomic activities of Zamfara central senatorial zone, Zamfara state, Nigeria. The study also employed a mix of quantitative and qualitative approaches including questionnaire and Key Informant Interviews, as instruments for data collection. A total of 400 respondents were purposively sampled for the study. The data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages, the relative importance index and time series analyses. Findings also showed that, cattle rustling (mean = 4.5), murder (mean = 4.48), and kidnapping (mean = 4.47) are among the major forms of banditry in the study area. The results also revealed that, unemployment (mean = 4.30), mass poverty (mean = 4.38), drug abuse (mean = 4.35) and available ungoverned spaces (mean = 4.40) are some of the causes of banditry in the area. Some of the effects of banditry discovered during the study include increased poverty (RII = 0.85), Based on the findings, the study recommends among others the need for government to deploy modern technology such as geospatial technology in combating banditry and other crime activities as well as the introduction of policies that would bring about the social-inclusiveness of members of the various people and communities on issues relating to security of the area.