Effect Of Banditry On Socio-Economic Development Of North-West Geopolitical Zone Of Nigeria

Abstract

The emergence of criminal bandits in the northwest Nigeria has further deteriorated the socio-economic growth of the region already crippled by Bokoharam insurgency and other security challenges. This article offers to interrogate the effect of banditry on socio-economic development of northwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The article adopts both descriptive and analytical research designs for collection and analysis of data. The findings of the study reveal among others that: banditry has negatively impacted on average per-capita income of the people, bandit activities have significantly affected human dignity among women and banditry has significant impact on food security. Consequently, the article holds the view that the region's socioeconomic development is still a long way off due to bandit operations. It recommends among others that in the envisaged new order, local government and traditional institutions should be actively and fully involved in security measure(s) against banditry in the region.