Banditry as rural crime?

Nigeria has garnered international attention for the increase in bandit attacks over the past decade. Thousands of Nigerians have died, and many more have been displaced due to bandit attacks. Exploring bandit attacks through spatial exploration and analysis helps to identify where the problem is occurring. Historically, banditry has occurred in rural areas. To understand the current problem of banditry, this paper identifies rural areas in Nigeria through calculating the population density of Local Government Authorities. The location quotient of specific types of bandit attacks is also calculated and presented to identify specific areas that experience frequent types of bandit attacks. Spatial components of rurality and banditry in Nigeria are explored in greater detail. This approach helps to identify problem areas which can provide information about certain situational components and other factors present in rural areas that could be facilitating bandit attacks. This paper concludes with recommendations for future research. • Banditry is a problem in Nigeria. • Historically, banditry has occurred in rural areas. • This paper identifies rural areas in Nigeria through calculating the population density of Local Government Authorities. • The location quotient of specific types of bandit attacks is also calculated and presented to identify specific areas that experience frequent types of bandit attacks. • While there were spatial concentrations to bandit attacks, there was no pattern related to population density and rurality of bandit attacks.