INTERROGATING ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL STRATEGIES TOWARDS COMBATING RURAL BANDITRY IN NIGERIA: A FOCUS ON KONTAGORA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper examined the interrogation of economic and political strategies towards combating rural banditry in Nigeria focusing on Kontagora local government in Niger State. The paper used Primary data. The analytical techniques employed was descriptive statistics and content analysis. The study was anchored on the hearts and minds (HAM) theory activity, which emphasizes that Government first priority is to ensure the protection of its citizens and ensure stability in the polity so as to counter insurgency. The study found that government did not compensate rural dwellers after bandits attack to cover their loss. It was also established that there should also be the need to have local vigilantes in every community in the study area. On the other hand, the findings revealed that the government should also compensate the local vigilantes that lost their lives in the fight against rural armed banditry. This also includes the need to provide incentives to vigilantes as compensation for those who lost their lives in the fight against rural banditry. The findings also revealed that that there is need for Government to provide Police outpost in every community and create a joint task force with both local Vigilantes, Police, Military as well as food security personnel in order to protect food productions. Therefore, the study recommended that the State Government should introduce all inclusive participation as a political strategy. This is a form of political strategy can ensure smooth interaction between a government and the citizens of Kontagora local government area. That can give Governments the advantage of techniques to coerce certain actions, thereby gaining relative advantage to win the fight against rural banditry.