ARMED BANDITRY IN NORTHERN NIGERIA: CAUSES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY

Osuigwe Damian Chukwuebuka

Department of Philosophy, Imo State University Owerri, Nigeria

Abstract

Banditry has become a challenge and threat to national security. The level at which bandits operate within the landscape of Northern Nigeria has led to violent crimes such as kidnapping, raping, maiming, killing and destruction of properties and farmlands. It has also brought disruptions of socio- economic activities and uncertainty, a situation that has become worrisome to the government and the citizenry. This paper therefore examines the causes and implications of banditry in the Northern region, which has emerged as a threat to national security. The paper adopted descriptive methodse, with the use of secondary source of data while the Situational Action Theory (SAT) was employed as a theoretical framework. This paper posited that the factors which drive the accelerating banditry in Northern Nigeria are high level of unemployment with its attendant poverty, a weak security system and arms proliferation . The paper concludes by recommending a combination of strengthened security measures, economic empowerment, border control, efficient disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) program, community- base moral and civic education to mitigate the phenomenon.

Keywords: Armed Banditry, National Security, Conflict Drivers, Poverty, Violence, Northern Nigeria.