AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF BANDITRY ON FOOD SECURITY IN ZAMFARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Banditry as a criminal act has significantly posed a challenge in Nigeria, specifically in Zamfara State, constituting threat not only to the safety and security of the residents but also to agricultural production, distribution, and access. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of banditry on food security in Zamfara State, analyzing its effects on agricultural production, food accessibility and food production. The study employed primary data which were collected through the use of the structured questionnaire. The result showed that factors such as destruction of farm lands, kidnapping, abduction of farmers, displacement of farmers, destruction of crops, and livestock, leads to reduced food production and availability. The research hypothesis was tested with Chi-square statistic (χ2). The data analysis and hypothesis testing revealed that the Bandits’ activities have significant effects on food production in Zamfara state (χ2=62.58^a, α=0.05, df=10, p-value=0.001). The study highlights the need for integrated strategies to address the impact of banditry on food security, initiatives such as enhanced security measures, and support for farmers are recommended to mitigate the adverse effect of banditry on food security in Zamfara State.