COPING MECHANISMS AND RESILIENCE STRATEGIES AMONG COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY BANDITRY IN DONGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Banditry poses a severe threat to communities in Donga Local Government Area, Taraba State, disrupting livelihoods and security. This study investigates the coping mechanisms and resilience strategies these communities employ to withstand and respond to ongoing bandit attacks. Using Crisis Leadership Theory as a framework, the research objectives were to (i) identify coping mechanisms, (ii) examine resilience strategies, and (iii) explore challenges faced in their implementation. A qualitative design was adopted, involving in-depth interviews with nine purposively selected participants, including traditional leaders, farmers, local officials, and NGO members. Thematic analysis revealed that communities adapt by altering farming patterns, forming neighborhood watch groups, establishing communication networks, and collaborating with local authorities to create rapid response teams. Resilience is fostered through community cohesion, social capital, peace-building initiatives, and partnerships with local organizations. Despite these efforts and some external support, challenges such as limited trust in authorities, scarce resources, and the complexity of banditry hinder full effectiveness. The study underscores the critical role of local leadership and collective action within the Crisis Leadership framework. It recommends enhancing capacity-building, resource support, and trust-building measures to strengthen community resilience and promote sustainable peace in the region.