IMPACTS OF BANDITRY ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF ZAMFARA STATE

The study investigated the impacts of banditry on the socio-economic activities in Nigeria, with Zamfara State as a case study. To achieve the objective of the research, primary and secondary method of data collection were employed. Primary data through structured questionnaire was administered to critical stakeholders in addition to interview method. Findings revealed that banditry which started in 2011 has led to loss of lives and property, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, social dislocation, famine, stagnation of business and other trading activities, displacement, and migration. Findings further revealed that corruption and bad governance, lack of education, and unemployment gave birth to banditry in the State. Arising from the findings, the study recommends both kinetic and non-kinetic military operations, political will, intelligence gathering, poverty alleviation programmes, good governance, employment opportunities, infrastructure development, social cohesion and inclusion, youth empowerment, and skills acquisition programmes as panacea towards curbing the menace.