Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD
📄 Download Paper

Banditry and Food Security in North West Nigeria, 2015-2025

Esezobor, Ozoya Oyale, Emmanuel O. Davies PhD, Graham Nsiegbe PhD

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between banditry and food security and the impact of banditry-induced displacement on household food security in North West Nigeria between 2015 and 2025. Armed banditry, comprising killings, kidnapping, cattle rustling and farm destruction, escalated sharply across Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna and Kebbi States over the decade, disrupting a region long regarded as Nigeria's agricultural heartland. The study was anchored on Human Security Theory and the Political Economy Theory of Conflict, which together linked the human consequences of insecurity to its economic and institutional causes. A case study research design was adopted, relying entirely on secondary qualitative sources, including academic journals, government and institutional reports, publications of international organisations, and credible media reporting, since the prevailing insecurity made primary fieldwork in the affected communities unsafe. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Findings established a structural and consistently negative relationship between banditry and food security, with over 60 percent of farmers abandoning farmland during peak attack periods and rural food insecurity in Zamfara State rising from 38 percent in 2015 to 61 percent in 2024. Displacement was found to severely undermine household food security, stripping families of farmland, livestock, tools and stored grain, and leaving them dependent on humanitarian assistance that was often inadequate and irregular, with women, children and the elderly disproportionately affected. The study concluded that banditry operated as a structural and self-reinforcing driver of food insecurity, and recommended enhanced security for farming communities, targeted food and livelihood support for displaced households, and livelihood restoration programmes for returnees.

References

Abdullahi, M. A., & Shehu, U. (2022). Armed banditry and food availability in Zamfara State. Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology, 22(1), 94-109. Abiodun, T. F., & Olaniyi, O. (2021). Rural violence and agricultural productivity in Nigeria. Journal of Peace and Security Studies, 4(2), 45-61. ACAPS. (2022). Nigeria food security and conflict analysis. ACAPS. Aina, F. (2023). Armed conflicts and food systems in Northwest Nigeria. [Scholarly repository]. Amadasu, A. I., & Etinosa, O. J. (2024). The effect of rural banditry on food security in Nigeria: Case of Ovia North-East LGA, Edo State. Kashere Journal of Politics and International Relations, 2(2), 211-225. Amadi, L. N., & Nnadozie, C. O. (2022). Scourge of rural banditry and food security in Nigeria's North-West: The economic implications. Umorin Journal of Accounting and Finance Research, 2(1), 1-15. Audu, P. A. (2025). Nigerian state and the rising waves of armed banditry in Northwest region. International Policy Brief. Audu, Y. A. (2021). Effects of armed banditry on food security in Katsina State. Journal of Research and Development, 6(2), 12-25. Ekpa, D., Adeola, S. S., Ojoko, E. A., & Amadu, A. (2025). Investigation of the effects of banditry on extension services delivery and crop production activities in Zamfara State, North-West Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 9, 171-177. Emmanuel, J. (2023). Impact of banditry on food security in Katsina State, Northwest Nigeria. Berkeley Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. Food and Agriculture Organization. (2022a). The impact of insecurity on agricultural production in Nigeria. FAO. Food and Agriculture Organization. (2022b). The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2022: Repurposing food and agricultural policies to make healthy diets more affordable. FAO. Ibrahim, J., & Mukhtar, M. (2020). Violence, displacement and food insecurity in Northern Nigeria. African Security, 13(4), 345-362. International Crisis Group. (2020). Violence in Nigeria's North West: Banditry and survival. International Crisis Group. International Displacement Monitoring Centre. (2023). Global report on internal displacement 2023. IDMC. Ismail, A., & Nwogbo, A. N. (2024). An assessment of the effect of banditry on food security in Zamfara State, Nigeria. AUN International Conference Proceedings, 2(1), 196-206. Julius, I. U. (2024). Effects of banditry security risk on livelihood of cattle herders in Northwest Nigeria. Magnum Scientia Advanced Research Reviews. Lamidi, K. O. (2025). Banditry and its implications on food security in Northwest Nigeria: A reflection on the roles of the state. Journal of Central and Eastern European African Studies, 5(2), 196-213. Lamidi, K. O., Nsiegbe, G., & Ojo, S. (2024). Farmer-herder conflicts exacerbating banditry and hunger. Journal of Central and Eastern European African Studies. Lebari, G. N., Onuegbu, F. A., & Adeniran, S. (2022). Climate change, farmer-herders conflicts and food security in Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 6(1), 407-413. Mahmud, M. A., & Salihu, A. I. (2024). Effects of banditry on food security in Zamfara State. Journal of Global Social Sciences, 5(19), 25-44. Mamman, A. D. (2024). Factors influencing armed banditry in North-West Nigeria. International Journal of Humanities, Literature and Art Research, 3(6). Mashi, M. A., & Husaini, B. A. (2024). Armed banditry and the challenges of food security in North West Nigeria. Journal of Human, Social and Political Science Research, 4. Nsiegbe, G., & Gabriel, T. (2024). Porous borders and banditry in the North-West zone of Nigeria. , 10(10), 230-269. Nwankpa, N. (2024). Effect of rural banditry on food security and poverty reduction in Nigeria. European Journal of Sustainable Development, 13(4), 271-285. Okeke, C. N., & Ekpe, O. (2021). Security crisis and food inflation in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Economic Studies, 13(1), 55-73. Okoli, A. C., & Lenshie, N. E. (2018). Herdsmen militancy and food security in Nigeria. African Security Review, 27(3), 207-223. Olanrewaju, O. (2023). Conflict-induced shocks and household food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Sustainability, 15(6), 5057. Olanrewaju, T., & Balana, B. (2023). Conflict and food security in Nigeria: Agricultural production and household resilience. Journal of African Development Studies, 12(3), 45-67. Oyewole, S., & Utibe, T. (2024). Armed banditry and food security in Northwest Nigeria. In J. S. Ojo, F. Aina, & S. Oyewole (Eds.), Armed banditry in Nigeria. Palgrave Macmillan. Reuters. (2024a, June 25). Nigerian farmers abandon farms after attacks, sending food prices higher. Reuters. Reuters. (2024b). Food insecurity rises as bandit attacks disrupt agriculture in North West Nigeria. Reuters. Reuters. (2025). Conflict and displacement drive rising food insecurity in West Africa. Reuters. Umar, G. (2025). The impact of banditry, kidnapping and cost of fuel on food security in Nigeria. Kashere Journal of Politics and International Relations, 3(3), 399-407. United Nations Development Programme. (2021). Human security and agricultural livelihoods in Nigeria. UNDP. World Food Programme. (2023a). Food security and conflict in Nigeria: Addressing vulnerability and access. WFP. World Food Programme. (2023b). Nigeria food security update. WFP. Yusuf, A. Y., & Mohammed, S. (2019). Rural banditry and displacement in North-West Nigeria. Journal of Security and Development Studies, 5(2), 112-128.

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH

Redirecting Betting Behavior into Entrepreneurship Skills Acquisition Among Tertiary Institution Students in Osun State

Author: Ojo Olaniyi Peter, Azeez Aminat Aderemi

Anxiety Levels and Coping Strategies as Predictors of Psychological Well-Being Among Health Workers in Gboko Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria

Author: Aondongu Iulun, Andrew Abiodun Mogaji, Tersugh Festus Tiki, Pius Adikpe, Omadu, Sesugh Aondowase

Artificial Intelligence in Strategic Management and Corporate Governance in Selected Tertiary Institutions in Imo State, Nigeria

Author: Obigeri Felicitas Onwuegbule, Justina Inusah Gideon Yakubu, Ikoro Ngozichukwu Ikoro PhD, Chinonye Emmanuel Akalazu, Kelechi Margaret Amasiatu PhD

Assessment of The Efficacy of Rehabilitation Programmes in Kaduna Medium Correctional Centre, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Author: Danladi, Hadiza Ovenada PhD, Dung, Deborah Gwom PhD

Big-Five Personality Traits and Depression Among Parents of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Makurdi, Nigeria

Author: Fateman Iorlumun, Pauline Aiingona Atsehe, Samuel Terzungwe Anhange, Aondofa, Alejir