EFFECTS OF RURAL BANDITRY ON HUMAN SECURITY: IMPLICATIONS ON STABILITY OF KONTAGORA LOCAL GOVERNMENT NIGERIA FROM 2015 - 2022

Abstract

Insecurity is a global and recurring phenomenon that threatens the well-being of its citizens. The multipronged occurrence constitutes a bane to development and leads to the proliferation of crime. This paper examined the effects of rural banditry on human security in Kontagora local government in Niger State. Primary data was sourced for this study. The theoretical framework used is the routine theory activity, which shows the relationship among routine activity where crime is likely to occur when three essential elements of crime convergence in space and time. The paper is descriptive in analysis. The findings revealed that rural armed banditry causes distress and inadequate peace of mind in the community and unpleasant displacement. It was found that bandits destroyed land and properties worth millions of Naira in the community. It was also discovered that rural armed banditry causes the increase of high cost of living in their community. The paper concludes that there is significant relationship between rural banditry and human security in Kontagora local government area of Niger State. Therefore the paper recommends that introducing safety measure nets by integrating and interacting with people involved in rural banditry back to the society. This can be done through deliberate policy reforms of integrating the bandits into the society. This policy can be done through engagements by use of strategic skills, entrepreneurship education and training which can serve as a measure for stable environment. This can lead to social interaction, productivity and livelihood activities.