THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BANDITRY AND ABDUCTIONS IN NIGERIA AND THE PROGRESSION OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY: Civil instability, terrorist threats, banditry, and persistent abductions of Nigerians, notably the well-publicized kidnapping of school boys and girls by bandit and terrorist organization, highlight the continued difficulties that Nigeria has in maintaining national security and advancing national development (Ibrahim, & Ahmad, 2020).

One of the most fundamental issues that contemporary nations must face is figuring out how to assure national prosperity in the face of a wide variety of ever expanding security threats. The problem of organized crime stands out as one of the most significant of these dangers (Imhonopi, & Urim, 2021). Racketeering and international syndication are two common methods used in the commission of organized crime, both of which are considered high-profile offenses. Terrorism, banditry, money laundering, kidnapping, and abduction are just a few examples of crimes that fall within this category. There are several signs that can be found all across the world that point to the fact that not only are organized crimes becoming more common, but they are also becoming more sophisticated, centralized, and politicized. As a result of this, they are getting a better foothold in both their local and global communities.

The term "banditry" refers to the commission or recurrence of armed robberies or other forms of violent crime (Ihe, 2022). It requires the use of physical force or the threat of such action in order to frighten a person with the purpose of robbing, raping, or killing them. Banditry is a type of violent crime that targets individuals. It is a prevalent type of criminal activity that also contributes to the proliferation of violent behavior in modern communities (Ibrahim, & Ahmad, 2020). It would appear that the rate of banditry in Nigeria has been high and has been increasing over the past several years. Similar to the Northeast of the country, where terrorists affiliated with Boko Haram have inflicted devastation over the course of the previous 10 years, Nigeria's Northwest is quickly becoming another significant regional theater of bloodshed (Ihe, 2022). A conflict that first manifested itself as localized disagreements between herders and farmers over access to land has evolved into an unsolvable dilemma that poses a significant risk to the safety of both the nation and the area as a whole. Since 2014, the amount of banditry that occurs in rural areas has continued to rise, which has drawn a lot of attention. While it is reasonable to assume that increased political undertones are the masterminds behind this, the fact remains that it has a significant impact on the ability of the average person to survive and that it slows down the process of national development (Imhonopi, & Urim, 2021). Banditry is a term that refers to armed violence that is typically motivated primarily by the goal to steal and pillage. The pursuit of greater economic accumulation is the driving force behind it. The victims include individuals and groups that have lost assets or, in the majority of cases, regular people who have been forced out of their homes.

In the past several years, the level of banditry in the northwestern states of Kaduna, Zamfara, and Katsina has reached an alarmingly high level. Bandits are allowed to harass the villagers without consequence. They have genuinely established themselves in the Kastina State, constructing fortified enclaves in the hinterland and on the borderlands, and using these locations as bases from which to plan and carry out their actions (Ibrahim, & Ahmad, 2020). Among the most typical acts of rural banditry in Nigeria's countryside include armed robberies, the kidnapping of schoolchildren, the rustling of cattle, and raids on villages.

Abduction, which is identical with abduction, is typically followed by the demand for a ransom, which can be in the form of money or other advantages. It is therefore deemed to constitute the commission of the crime of abduction when a person is removed from the place where he or she was first found, either by convincing that person to leave, by deceiving that person in some manner, or by using some form of coercion, which may include violence (Ibrahim, & Ahmad, 2020). However, political actors and stakeholders in society are politicizing life-threatening situations; as a result, it does not matter how the government pretends about this subject; banditry and kidnapping have a significant impact on the national security and the growth of the country.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Crime thrives in contexts where there’s little deterrence. In most of Nigeria’s rural communities, there are many opportunities for criminal activity. For one thing, some of these communities are located in remote areas where there is little or no government presence. More importantly, households and schools are in some cases separated by and interspersed with forest areas. This renders them vulnerable to banditry. This situation is made worse by the absence of effective community policing mechanisms capable of addressing the hinterlands’ peculiar security challenges.

In effect, the incidence and prevalence of rural banditry and abduction of school children in northwest Nigeria raises a fundamental question about the government’s ability to govern effectively. The state security machinery has so far failed to tackle the scourge of banditry and kidnapping. This failure stems from a lack of political will and operational challenges.Essentially, the prevailing socio-existential conditions in northwestern Nigeria have complicated the security and national development.However it against this backdrop that this study seeks to examine the implication of banditry and abduction on national development.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

This study is set to examine the relationship between banditry and abductions in Nigeria and the progression of national development. Specifically it is set

1. To examine the causes of banditry and abduction in Northwest Nigeria.

2. To determine the implications of banditry on national development.

3. To determine the extent at which banditry and abduction affects national security and development.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will enable Public security agents in Nigeria on the need to be exposed (by way of periodic training) to the globally tenable best practices and know-how of counter-banditry to boost their operational efficiency in combating violent crimes in general and armed robbery in particular.it will heighten the awareness of government on the need to come up with credible and implementable policies to curb the incessant attacks on common man and improve their livelihood. It will hamper the criminal justice system of Nigeria on the need to be re-positioned and revitalized through progressive reforms to enable it acquire the integrity and competences to sanction crime aright.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION

1. What are the underlying causes of banditry and abduction in Kastina State?

2. what are the implications of banditry and abduction on national development?

3. To what extent does banditry and abduction affect national security and development?

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is set to examine the implication of banditry and abduction on national development using Kastina State Nigeria as a case study.

1.7 LIMITATION OF STUDY
Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8 Operational Definitions

Implication: this the effect an action has on something or the conclusion that can be drawn from something although it is not explicitly stated.

Banditry: Banditry is a type of organized crime committed by outlaws typically involving the threat or use of violence. A person who engages in banditry is known as a bandit and primarily commits crimes such as extortion, robbery, and murder, either as an individual or in groups.

Abduction:the action of forcibly taking someone away against their will. It is always synonymous to kidnapping which is  criminal offense consisting of the unlawful taking and carrying away of a person by force or fraud or the unlawful seizure and detention of a person against his will.