Armed Banditry and Challenges of National Development : Is Nigeria’s Governance System Failing?

Abstract

The incessant bandits’ activities vis-à-vis kidnapping of people for ransom, robbing them of their possessions, raping and even killing them at will by groups of people officially described as bandits in parts of Nigeria is worrisome. The study examines the nexus between governance and armed bandits’ activities, as well as its effects on the people and national development. The study relies on researchers’ observation of unfolding events in the study areas and secondary data. The study revealed that the poor quality of governance offered by the successive political leaders of Nigeria was the major inducing factor of these bandits’ activities. Other factors include political and economic reasons, a high unemployment rate, and a high level of poverty. The study concluded that bandits’ activities, if not quickly nipped in the bud will continue to inhibit the political, social, and economic development of the country, also, the activities are capable of truncating the evolving democratic governance and the corporate existence of Nigeria.

Keywords

• governance
• armed banditry
• development
• poverty
• unemployment