Socio-Economic Consequences Of Banditry In The Middle-Belt Region, Nigeria
Anande Vitalis Hunduh, Godswill Agbo Ojah, Isuwa Balanku, Yakubu Awan Sankwai
Keywords: Socio-economic, social relations, banditry, peacebuilding, Nigerian military.
Abstract
Banditry is a growing trend in Nigeria with monumental consequences on communities. This study examines the social-economic consequences of banditry in the Middle Belt, Nigeria. The study was guided by social disorganization theory. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional
survey conducted in Bassa and Zangon Kataf Local Government Areas in Plateau and Kaduna States. The study’s sample and locations were purposively selected. Focus group discussion (FGD) and key-informant interview (KII) guides were used to collect data. The researchers conducted sixteen focus group discussions and 14 key informant interviews. Data collected were transcribed and thematically analyzed using content analysis. Findings revealed that banditry has had devastating consequences on the social and economic life of the communities; it has soured relationships between community members that hitherto lived in peace. It has also drastically reduced economic production and accentuated poverty. However, the Nigerian military personnel deployed for peace-keeping
operations in these areas have become corrupt and biased and have not done much in restoring peace to affected communities. Peace-keeping has become a ‘business’ for military personnel. The study concludes that
banditry has disorganized many communities in the Middle Belt region
with devastating socio-economic consequences. It calls on government to improve security presence in places ravaged by bandits in Nigeria, and
provided the necessary weapons to tackle banditry. The research also
recommends that corrupt security personnel, individuals and government
functionaries who collaborate with, or aid and abate banditry should be
sanctioned appropriately.
Author Biography
Anande Vitalis Hunduh, Godswill Agbo Ojah, Isuwa Balanku
Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Email: [email protected]
Yakubu Awan Sankwai
ECWA District Church Council Kaduna South, Kaduna State, Nigeria