PROLIFERATION OF ARMED BANDITRY AND FOOD SECURITY IN KONTAGORA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGERIA: AN ASSESSMENT OF GOVERNMENT ROLES

Abstract

The primary responsibility of every government is to provide an assured welfare and security within its defined territory. Experience has shown that; post independence Nigeria has experienced failure to achieve this progress largely traceable to inability of the government to tackle rural armed banditry. It is against this backdrop that this paper investigates government intervention in tackling rural banditry to ensure food security in Kontagora local government in Niger State. The paper relies on both primary and secondary sources of data generated. The data was analysed using descriptive method of analysis and chi-square test. The theoretical framework for this study is the frustration aggression theory. The study reveals that banditry poses a significant challenge to the security and development of local communities in the study area. The study further exposed that the absence of security personnel triggered insecurity in the study area. The study therefore, recommends that there is need for government to introduce the policy of community policy, combined efforts between the security forces and local community members. This can strengthen security apparatus and ensure that there is safety. Government can adopt a strategy aimed at improving the quality of life of the bandits to reduce their rate of poverty and illiteracy.