CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Armed banditry and the threats it poses to human security and infrastructure development in Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Niger States, and other states, have become a source of national security and public concern.The multifaceted layers of criminality involved, and the recurrent nature of the armed banditry call for effective mechanisms to mitigate the threat it poses to peace, comfort, security and infrastructure in the affected States.

In July 2019, the North-Western State Governors began negotiating with a number of armed bandits operating in the region to curb the menace and further boost internal security in the affected States. Despite its recorded successes evident in the drastic decline in attacks on infrastructure, release of kidnapped victims and weapons recovery, the renewed attacks by bandits in many states of Nigeria  between November and December 2019 til the time of this study has posed a threat to the societies at large I.e, the citizens and infrastructures in the societies. Despite the multi-approach that includes dialogue, coordinated community policing and civil-military support structure as imperative tools to assuage the threats and create an opportunity for conflict reduction, resolution and extended conversations on stabilising peace and security in the States as well as in the country, the resilience of armed bandits' groups operating in Nigeria States still dominantly prevails. The act of banditry in Nigeria however has become a daily scenario as citizens are killed on daily bases, communities invaded, Private, and public infrastructures are massively destroyed, security personnel are assassinated and operation vehicles and other equipment are also vandalized. It is therefore upon this background that this study tends to critically analyse the effect of the recent wave of banditry on societies and infrastructural development.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Banditry violence has affected populations living in Nigeria states.  About 21 million people living in these states have been exposed to insecurity from the activities of bandits. Unconnected to the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, the banditry violence began as a farmer/herder conflict in 2011 and intensified between 2017 and 2021 to include cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, sexual violence, killings, massacre of security officers, wrecking and ruination of public and private properties etc. The violence has affected over 35 local government areas in Nigeria.

Additionally, an estimated 4,983 women were widowed, 25,050 children orphaned, and 190,340 others internally displaced between June 2011 and May 2019 in Zamfara State. In Katsina State, over 2,000 people have been killed, 500 communities destroyed and over 33,000 people displaced. Further reports also revealed that over 10,000 cattle were lost, while 2,688 hectares of farmland and 10,000 houses were destroyed between 2011 and mid-2020 in Nigeria. Also, the States recorded the loss of over 147,800 vehicles and motorcycles between June 2011 to 2020 (WANEP NEWS).

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

In general, the study aims to assess banditry's invasion of Nigerian societies and its effects on infrastructure development.Specifically, it is geared:

1. Examine the menace of banditry in Nigeria

2. Investigate the impact of Banditry on Infrastructure.

3. Ascertain if banditry impedes infrastructural development.

1.4 RESEARCHER HYPOTHESIS

H01: Banditry has no impact on Infrastructure.

H02: Banditry does not impedes infrastructural development.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will enable public security agents in Nigeria to 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 raise the government's awareness of the need to develop credible and implementable policies to combat the ongoing attacks on the common man, infrastructure, and livelihood.Researchers will also find this study useful based on their focus or interest.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study investigates the infiltration of bandits into Nigerian societies and the consequences for infrastructure development.More specifically, the study covers the examination of the menace of banditry in Nigeria, investigating the impact of banditry on infrastructure and ascertaining if banditry impedes infrastructural development. Thus, this study is delimited to Niger state and Kaduna State.

1.7LIMITATION OF STUDY
Financial constraint: Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing 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 to research work.

1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS

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.

Invasion: The act of invading; the act of invading a society by arming a group of people for conquest or plunder.

Infrastructural Development: It involves improvement of the quality of the various components of infrastructure, such as roads, power, ICT, water and sanitation.

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