Banditry and Internal Security in Kaduna State: A Case Study of Giwa and Chikun Local Government Areas of Kaduna State: 2019 – 2023

Abstract

This study examines Banditry and Internal Security in Kaduna State, with a specific focus on Giwa and Chikun Local Government areas between 2019-2023. The persistent wave of Banditry has exposed the weak and uncoordinated response of the security agencies, the lack of intelligence sharing among the security agencies, the limited military and police presence in rural areas, the delays in deployment during attacks, and the lack of trust between local communities and security forces has been revealed as the major bottleneck in addressing banditry activities in the study areas. The objectives of the study were to examine the socio-economic impact of banditry and Internal security in Giwa and Chikun L.G.As, the challenges faced in mitigating banditry activities in the affected areas, the nexus between banditry and Internal Security in Kaduna State , and the strategies employed to mitigate them. The study was anchored on Human Security and Rational choice theory, the Human security theory emphasizes on the idea of preventing threats before it cause harm, therefore, addressing the root causes of insecurity such as poverty and unemployment. Adopting a mixed- methods research design, the study drew data from quantitative and qualitative sources. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 400 respondents, which comprise academics, security operatives, traditional and community leaders, selected through purposive sampling across Giwa and Chikun. While Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and and inferencial statistics via SPSS. The findings reveled that poverty and unemployment, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, cattle rustling, kidnapping, lack of education among youth, limited military and police presence in the affected areas are the main drivers of banditry. Therefore, the study recommends the creation of skills acquisition programs, agricultural empowerment programs and entrepreneurship training among youths by the government, in combination with accessible microcredit facilities which will discourage the engagement of youths in criminal activities. In addition, state should formalize and support community- based vigilante groups under legal and operational frameworks that will ensure accountability and coordination with conventional security agencies, the government should intensify efforts to secure Nigeria’s porous borders, strengthen arms regulations, and deploy modern surveillance technologies. Finally, traditional leaders, religious institutions and local civil society organizations should be formally integrated into peace building efforts, with resources and legal backing, to help mediate disputes, resolve communal tentions, and prevents the escalation of conflicts that provide fertile ground for banditry. Key words: banditry; security; internal security; Kaduna State; Human Security Theory; Rational Choice Theory