Impact Of Rural Banditry On Sustainable Development In Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Durowaiye Babatunde Emmanuel, Akor-Abagi Mnzughurga, Solomon Atser Iorshagher
Keywords: Economic development, kidnapping, rural banditry, security, human capital
Abstract
Sustainable development is a kind of development that considers the needs
of future generations. However, sustainable development seems
unattainable in a society plagued by banditry. This paper examines the
relationship between rural banditry and sustainable development in Lafia
Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. Previous researches have focused on the connection between banditry and economic development, but this paper explores the impact of rural banditry on social, economic and
environmental wellbeing of communities in Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The study utilized primary data collected through questionnaires administered to 399 respondents, of which 380 were completed and returned. The analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. The study’s results revealed that the destruction of crops, displacement of farmland, disruption of local markets, and increased dependency on food aid were linked to the disputes between Fulani herders and farmers. Additionally, militia attacks resulted in
migration, reduced revenue, and loss of human capital, negatively affecting
economic development in Lafia Local Government Area. Furthermore,
kidnapping for ransom has led to a breakdown of trust, mental health
disorders, social stigma, and gender-based violence, including rape. The
paper concludes that lack of investments in security measures in Lafia Local Government Area exacerbate rural banditry in the Local Government Area. Thus, the paper recommends that there is need for governments at all levels to work with community stakeholders to invest in security in Lafia Local Government Area.
Author Biography
Durowaiye, Babatunde Emmanuel
Department of Sociology, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]
Akor-Abagi, Mnzughurga
Department of Sociology, Wisdom City Institute (Affiliate of Kwararafa University Wukari), Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
Email: [email protected]
Solomon Atser Iorshagher
College of Community Health, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]