TRANSFORMATIVE PEACEBUILDING TO ADDRESS CATTLE RUSTLING AND ARMED BANDITRY IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

This study examines the effectiveness of transformative peacebuilding approach in addressing the insecurity challenges of cattle rustling and armed banditry in Katsina state. The study used primary and secondary data. Thus, administered 384 questionnaires across the eight (8) local government areas purposely selected. The study also interviewed thirty-nine (39) stakeholders. These include, traditional and religious leaders, academicians, security personnel, CSOs and the state standing committee on cattle rustling members. Content and descriptive analyses were adopted and presented the findings using graphs and simple percentages. The respondents (56%) confirmed that genuine stakeholders’ engagement would resolve the insecurity challenges of cattle rustling and armed banditry in Katsina state. Most interviewed respondents admitted that the collective stakeholders’ efforts were lost in curbing the insecurity challenges. The insecurity issues should not be limited to a specific part, institution, or group of people. It is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders. The study concluded that it is possible to resolve the insecurity challenges of cattle rustling and armed banditry in Katsina state through the stakeholders’ complementarity and contingency efforts as advocated by the transformative peacebuilding approach.