INCESSANT BANDITRY AS A CAUSE OF FOOD INSECURITY IN ZAMFARA STATE, AND ITS IMPLICATION ON PUBLIC HEALTH (EVIDENCE FROM PRESIDENT BOLA AMED TINUBU ADMINISTRATION)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Throughout history, banditry has been prevalent in various regions across the globe, particularly since the 19th century. Bandits, often mounted on horses, would go out from their secret locations to raid communities before returning to their hideouts. Bandits have historically been present in predominantly hilly regions of Italy, Spain, Greece, and Turkey within Europe (Dare, 2022). Bandits have historically been present in various Asian countries, including Iran, the Philippines, and India (Shina, 2017). In India, individuals who engage in banditry are referred to as "Daku" in the Hindi language. This term, "dacoity," was introduced by British colonialists during the colonial era. Therefore, dacoity is now commonly used to refer to banditry throughout the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the regions of north and north central India where bandits have been active for a long time (Dmella, 2018). 

A bandit is an individual who engages in criminal activities, such as robbery or theft, as a member of a gang. They employ weapons to unlawfully take possessions from others and often operate in remote or lawless regions of a country. Banditry is a phrase that describes acts of robbery and violence that occur in locations where the authority of the law has ceased to exist (Collins, 2019). Banditry involves the formation of armed groups with the intention of targeting government, social institutions, businesses, or individuals for attack. Engaging in such groups and participating in the acts of violence they carry out are seen to be equivalent to banditry (Cole, 2020).

Banditry poses a significant security threat in Africa, with bandits causing widespread destruction across the horn of Africa, East and Central Africa, as well as along the trans-Saharan trade routes from Niger Republic to Libya (Aregbesola, 2020). Banditry has been prevalent in certain regions of Chad, particularly around Lake Chad, and it also holds considerable influence in sections of Southern Africa (Aregbesola, 2020). The occurrence and intensity of banditry in West Africa have played a role in the growing escalation of regional insecurity, posing a possible risk to the integration of the subregion (Abdullahi, 2019). Evidence indicates that certain bandits originating from nations within the West African sub-region, such as Niger Republic and Mali, were specifically recruited to execute extensive assaults in several countries within the sub-region. They crossed the permeable West African borders while armed to support their fellow criminals in executing extensive or retaliatory assaults.

Banditry in Nigeria emerged as a consequence of long-standing battles spanning almost forty years between sedentary farmers and nomadic herding populations that roam the elevated plains of northern Nigeria, specifically in the North West geopolitical zone, including states like Zamfara. Banditry in Zamfara State commenced in around 2009 and escalated in 2011, particularly following the general elections (Anka, 2017). Undoubtedly, Zamfara state has served as the central hub of banditry in Nigeria, with a significant number of bandit leaders originating from and operating within the forests of Zamfara state. These bandits would utilise motorcycles to travel to neighbouring states like Katsina, where they would carry out their operations before retreating to their hideouts in the forest (Farouq and Chukwu, 2020). By 2010, banditry had emerged in Katsina State, specifically in the seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) that bordered Zamfara state: Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Kankara, Faskari, and Sabua (Cole, 2020).

Banditry, which includes acts of robbery and violence against rural populations working in farming, livestock rearing, and other food producing activities, inevitably affects food security. Food security, as defined by Japheth et al., 2018, refers to the state in which all individuals have consistent and reliable access to an adequate supply of safe and nutritious food that fulfils their dietary requirements and personal food preferences, enabling them to lead a healthy and active life. Food security, as defined by Ajayi (2020), refers to the presence of sufficient food in terms of its production, distribution, and consumption.

Based on the aforementioned criteria of food security, it can be inferred that armed banditry has significantly contributed to food insecurity in Zamfara state and Nigeria as a whole. According to Okwuadei (2018), food insecurity refers to the state in which persons lack continuous access to enough, safe, nutritious, and socially acceptable food that is necessary for a healthy and productive existence. The presence or absence of sufficient and reliable access to food has a direct impact on the well-being and physical condition of humans (Daniel, 2024). The primary economic activity in Zamfara State is agriculture, with a significant portion of the population involved in farming. Nevertheless, the continuous occurrence of banditry has significantly hindered agricultural operations, resulting in extensive food poverty.

Zamfara State, situated in the Northwestern area of Nigeria, has been afflicted by persistent banditry for numerous years. This widespread sense of insecurity has had significant consequences for the state's ability to ensure access to food and maintain the health of the populace. The Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has endeavoured to tackle these concerns through a range of actions. This paper seeks to thoroughly examine the persistent occurrence of banditry as a primary factor contributing to food insecurity in Zamfara state, and its impact on public health, with supporting data from the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

It is crucial to tackle the consequences of banditry on food security and public health in Zamfara State in order to ensure the welfare of its residents. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the present circumstances, utilizing evidence from the interventions and policies implemented during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration. However, before implementing this intervention, it is essential to identify certain issues that may contribute to banditry in the state and Nigeria as a whole.

According to Arinze (2018), The Nigerian government's failure to exert sufficient control over armed non-state players has enabled them to develop autonomous governing systems in specific areas, resulting in a significant increase in insecurity. In the north-west region, the occurrence of armed banditry has led to incidents of kidnappings, deaths, displacements of people, and disruptions to socio-economic activities. The intricate nature of armed banditry in Nigeria encompasses several causal elements, actors, expressions, and dimensions (Charles, 2024). In addition, issues such as low literacy rates, easily crossed borders, and lack of adherence to legal principles contribute to the lack of security in the country. Insecurity leads to various negative outcomes such as underdevelopment, poverty, insurgency, militancy, and drug abuse. To tackle these problems, proposed solutions involve prioritizing technical education, reintroducing civics into the primary school syllabus, adopting community policing, strengthening the principles of the rule of law, and fostering a sense of nationality (NdianAbasi, 2024). 

Additionally, the significant unemployment rate in Nigeria is closely associated with the increasing levels of poverty in the country (Punch, 2024). In 2023, the National Bureau of Statistics disclosed that the unemployment rate in Nigeria stood at approximately 38.3 percent and was continuing to increase. There is a contention that the rate of unemployment among Nigerian youngsters is about twice as high as that figure. It might be contended that this issue was exacerbated by worldwide inflation, which can be attributed to the adverse consequences of COVID-19 on the global economy, and more recently, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Addressing the issue of unemployment among Nigerian young is a viable solution to the problem of banditry in Nigeria, as a significant number of these individuals are now without employment opportunities (Punch, 2024). 

Moreover, research indicates that there exist disparities between the Nigerian government and the Nigerian population, namely among the younger generation (Abdulamin et al., 2024). Despite its role as a representative body for the local population, the local government nonetheless appears distant and disconnected. For example, the Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria managed to recruit young individuals due to the government's significant disconnect from its citizens (Punch, 2022). The #EndSARS demonstration in 2020 serves as further evidence of the government's significant disconnect from the average Nigerian citizens. Facilitating communication between the government and the citizens will furnish law enforcement officers with valuable information to effectively combat banditry and terrorism in Nigeria. Therefore, the necessity for this investigation arises.

Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically investigate incessant banditry as a cause of food insecurity in Zamfara state, and its implication on public health (evidence from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration). Specific objectives of this study are to:

To evaluate the extent of banditry in Zamfara state.

To find out whether there is a relationship between banditry and food insecurity in Zamfara state

To examine the public health implications of food insecurity in Zamfara state.

To identify potential strategies to tackle banditry and improve food security and public health in Zamfara state.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions which are in line with the objectives of this study will be answered in this study:

What is the extent of banditry in Zamfara state?

What is the relationship between banditry and food insecurity in Zamfara state?

What are the public health implications of food insecurity in Zamfara state?

What are the strategies to tackle banditry and improve food security and public health in Zamfara state?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

To determine the effectiveness of this study, the following research null hypotheses will be formulated to guide the study and it will be tested at 0.05% levels of significance.:

Ho: The extent of banditry in Zamfara state is low.

Ha: The extent of banditry in Zamfara state is high.

1.6 Significance of the study

This study is highly significant for multiple reasons. Firstly, it has immediate relevance for Zamfara State, as it explores the connection between persistent banditry, food shortages, and public health. Secondly, it has broader implications for Nigeria and other similar situations worldwide. This study aims to establish a fundamental benchmark for policymakers, scholars, and humanitarian organisations. The study will also function as a reference point for students and scholars. 

The study will be highly significant for humanitarian organisations as it will assist them in efficiently allocating resources, thereby ensuring that relief reaches the communities that are most impacted and vulnerable. Comprehensive understanding of the coping strategies employed by rural households can enhance the development of food assistance and support initiatives, ensuring they are better tailored to meet the specific requirements of the community. 

Furthermore, this project aims to provide government officials and policy makers with empirical data and analysis that can assist them in making evidence-based decisions. This information will be valuable to policymakers at both the state and federal levels. Moreover, comprehending the precise ramifications of banditry on food security and public health facilitates the creation of focused interventions that cater to the distinct requirements of the rural populations in Zamfara State.

Furthermore, the study is focused on enhancing public health. The study's primary objective is to highlight the significance of tackling malnutrition and associated health problems, particularly among susceptible groups like children and the elderly, by focusing on the nutritional consequences of food insecurity. Gaining insight into the correlation between food insecurity, displacement, and the frequency of diseases can aid in formulating all-encompassing public health initiatives that tackle both current and long-term health requirements. 

Moreover, this study contributes to the expanding corpus of research on the relationship between security, food systems, and public health. It offers a detailed case study that can be used in future research. The findings can be utilised as a foundation for comparative investigations with other places impacted by comparable difficulties, augmenting the comprehension of how distinct settings shape the correlation between insecurity and food systems.

1.7 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focuses to critically investigate incessant banditry as a cause of food insecurity in Zamfara state, and its implication on public health (evidence from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration). Specifically, this study seeks to evaluate the extent of banditry in Nigeria and find out whether there is a relationship between banditry and food insecurity in Nigeria. 

Further, this study will focus on examining the public health implications of food insecurity in Nigeria, and it also seeks to identify potential strategies to tackle banditry and improve food security and public health in Nigeria.

This study is carried out in Bakura, Zamfara state.

1.8 Limitations of the study

Like in any human undertaking, the researchers encountered small constraints during the investigation. The researcher's main limitation was the linguistic barrier. The majority of inhabitants in rural communities of Zamfara state lack comprehension of the English language. There was a lack of contact between the rural inhabitants and the researcher. 

Another constraint was the scarcity of considerable literature on the subject, as there is a limited amount of data available for a thorough investigation of incessant banditry as a cause of food insecurity in Zamfara state, and its implication on public health (evidence from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration). Therefore, a substantial investment of time and effort was required to find the suitable materials, books, or information and collect data. Furthermore, this study is limited by its limited sample size and restricted geographical reach, namely concentrating just on Bakura, Zamfara state. Hence, the findings of this study cannot be extrapolated, thereby necessitating additional research. 

Additionally, the researcher's limitations were primarily due to financial constraints, as they are a student and do not have a source of income to sustain themselves. It was challenging to afford transportation expenses to and from the study location due to the high cost of transportation, which is influenced by inflation in Nigeria today.

In addition, the researcher encountered a time limitation as a result of the necessity to do this research while simultaneously completing the responsibilities of attending lectures and engaging in other educational pursuits.

1.9 Definition of terms

Food security: Food security is when a person is able to obtain a sufficient amount of healthy food on a day-to-day basis.

Food scarcity: food scarcity refers to the shortage of food supplies to meet the dietary needs of a population.

Malnutrition: Malnutrition is a medical condition that occurs when a person's nutrition is either insufficient or excessive, leading to harmful effects.

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.

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