EFFECT OF BANDITRY ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF NIGER STATE

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of banditry on socio-economic development of Niger State, which has become of great concern to the Nigerian government, citizens and even international communities. It is not a hidden fact that Niger state is under severe security threat occasioned by banditry, kidnapping and other form of security challenges which has affected virtually all social economic activities most especially farming activities, because farming is one of their major occupation. This paper relied on documentary method to source data from journals, news papers, magazines and other relevant materials as regards to the title of this paper. However, the paper used system theory which is traceable to Bertalanffy, L.V e'tal (1969), in a study titled, general system theory, foundation, development and applications, which seek to explain the factor taken into consideration in arriving at strategic outcome. Furthermore, the paper also discussed concepts of banditry, factors promoting banditry, implication of banditry on agricultural activities, socio- economic development, barriers to economic development and indicators of economic development. Therefore, the paper concludes that the problems of banditry is traceable to the problem of unemployment among citizens, injustice by those in the position of authority, using and dumping of youths by politicians, porous nature of Nigerian borders, poor motivation of security agents among other, and recommends measures in arresting the menace of banditry in the state, the need to acquire the security gadgets in curbing these menace of threats been faced by citizens for effective intelligent gathering and this will go in a long way fighting the danger confronting the society, also deliberate steps should be taken by government to reduce problem of unemployment by creating enabling environments for citizens to imbibes on the culture of farming business which will serve as a means of ensuring sustainable living through provision adequate financial incentives with lesser interest charges from intervention agencies, and lastly, there should be respect to rule of law and all perpetrators found wanting in the fight against banditry should be brought to the justice as this will serve a deterrent to others who have the same thinking.