CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The incessant bloody clashes between the cattle herders and sedentary-farmer
communities have come to pose serious human security challenges in Nigeria.
Between 2010 and 2015, the country lost 6,500 persons, $14 billion and 62,000
internally displaced in 850 perennial clashes in the North-Central region alone (Daily
Trust, 2017).
Given the multi-faceted dimensions and the surrounding narratives, tracking down the
perpetrators of the crime and finding solutions to the drivers became politically
sensitive.
In 2017, the clashes between nomadic herdsmen and local farmers led to at least 549
deaths and displacement of thousands in 14 states (Ameh, 2018). The killings had
continued unabated with the mass burial of over 70 native farmers that lost their lives
through the attacks of herdsmen in Benue State in January 2018. As such, the
phenomenon of rural banditry in Nigeria has transmogrified “from crisis of nomadism
to state crisis” (Ibrahim, 2016). It is also described as ‘both a symptom and a cause of
rural underdevelopment’ (Kyari & Chinyere, 2015).
Historically, banditry has existed and operated in different parts of the world since the
19th century when bandits riding mostly on horse backs move from their hideouts to
attack villages and then retreated back to their hideouts. In Europe, bandits have
existed in mainly mountainous areas of Italy, Spain, Greece and Turkey (Cassia,
1993). In Asia, bandits have existed in several countries such as Iran, Philippines and
India (Bankoff, 1998). In India, bandits are called Daku in Hindi Language which the
British colonialist coined as dacoity during the colonial period. Thus dacoity has
become a term for banditry in the Indian subcontinent where bandits have operated for
many years in north and north central India. One of the notable dacoits was Gabbar
Singh who inspired the famous 1975 Bollywood film Sholay (Flames) based on his
life. Therefore, banditry has a rich and lucrative history throughout south Asia and

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despite continued anti banditry efforts, the problem of banditry persists in India
presently (Dmella, 2018).
Banditry is another security challenge in Africa where bandits have continued to
ravage the horn of Africa, East and Central Africa and the trans-Saharan trade routes
from Niger Republic all the way to Libya (Aregbesola, 2020). Banditry has existed in
parts of Chad and around Lake Chad and they also have significant presence in parts
of Southern Africa (Aregbesola, 2020). In West Africa, the prevalence and severity of
banditry has contributed to the rising increase in regional insecurity with a potential
threat to regional integration of the sub-region (Abdullahi, 2019). Reports have shown
that some of the bandits from some countries of the West African sub-region such as
Niger Republic and Mali were invited to carry out large scale attacks in some
countries of the sub-region. They moved through the porous West African borders
with their arms to assist their fellow bandits in carrying out large scale or reprisal
attacks.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
In Nigeria, banditry came as a result of nearly four decades of unresolved conflicts
between settled cultivators and nomadic herding communities that wander on the high
plains of northern Nigeria particularly the North West geo-political zone in states such
as Zamfara. Banditry in Zamfara State started since around 2009 and increased in
2011 especially after the general elections (Anka, 2017). In fact, Zamfara state has
been the epicenter of banditry in Nigeria, where most of the bandit’s leaders were
based and from Zamfara state they would move riding on motor cycles to other states
such as Katsina, to operate and return to their forest dens (Farouq and Chukwu, 2020).
Therefore by the year 2010, banditry had started in Katsina State primarily in the
seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) that shared boundary with Zamfara state
namely Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Kankara, Faskari and Sabuwa.
Since banditry involved acts of robbery and violence on the people particularly rural
dwellers who mainly engaged in farming, cattle rearing and other food production
activities it is bound to have impacts on food security. Any form of violence that leads
to insecurity in rural areas where majority of the people are farmers is bound to affect
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food security anywhere in the world. The United Nations in September 2020 observed
that attacks by Al-Shabaab insurgent group will deepen food insecurity into the year
2021 in Mozambique (Channels, 2020). In Nigeria, the Federal Government has
realized that banditry has posed a serious threat to farming communities in the
northern parts of the country. Therefore in April 2017, the Minister of Agriculture and
Rural Development in conjunction with the Minister of Interior initiated the formation
of a special unit of Agro-Rangers Corps to protect farmers and farming investments
throughout the country (The Sun, 2017). The use of the Agro-Rangers was expected to
forestall attacks on farmlands and boost farmer’s confidence to work on their farms
without fear of attacks, thereby guaranteeing the Federal Government avowed food
security plans (NSCDC, 2020). On the occasion of the June 12 Democracy Day
Speech President Buhari announced the deployment of 5,000 Agro-Rangers to offer
protection to farmers and farming investments across the country (Oyeleke, 2020).
1.3 Aims and Objective of the Study
The aims of this study is to examine the effects of banditry on agricultural activities in
Giwa local government and the study aims to achieve the following objectives;
i. To examine the effect of banditry on agricultural activities in Giwa Local
Government
ii. To explain the root causes of banditry in Giwa Local Government
iii. To identity the relationship between banditry and agricultural activities in Giwa
Local Government
1.4 Research Questions
i. To what extent banditry affect the agricultural activities in Giwa Local
Government?
ii. What are the root causes of banditry in Giwa Local Government?
iii. Is there any relationship between banditry and agricultural activities in Giwa
Local Government?
1.5 Test of Hypothesis
Ho1 Banditry has direct effect on agricultural activities in Giwa local government.

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2- Banditry is the root causes to agricultural backwardness in Giwa local government.
3- There is relationship between banditry and agricultural backwardness in Giwa local
government effect on agricultural activities in Giwa local government.
Ho2 Banditry is the root causes to agricultural backwardness in Giwa local
government.
Ho3 there is relationship between banditry and agricultural backwardness in Giwa
local government.
1.6 Significance of the Study
Although the research is carried to fulfill an academic requirement, it will also go
beyond that scope encouraging more meaningful and conscious rural development on
the part of agriculture and security. Accordingly, the findings of this study are to
restore the hope of citizens considering improved government role playing in peoples’
lives and properties security. Researchers/students, Local Government will also
benefit from this study as it would be able to uncover critical areas of insecurity and
agriculture.
1.7 Scope of the Study
This study fundamentally deals with, the effect of banditry on agricultural
development in Giwa Local Government of Kaduna State. The geographical area is
only Giwa Local Government area of Kaduna state and its covers the period of 2016-
2021.
1.8 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
Insecurity: Insecurity is defined as a breach of peace and security, whether historical,
religious, ethno-regional, civil, social, economic, and political that contributes to
recurring conflicts, and leads to wanton destruction of lives and property.
Bandits: A bandit is a robber or outlaw belonging to a gang, who uses weapons to
steal or rob from the people and typically operating in an isolated or lawless area of a
country.
Banditry: Banditry is a term used to refer to acts of robbery and violence in areas
where the rule of law has broken down. Banditry consists of the organization of armed

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bands for the purpose of attacking state or social institutions or enterprises or
individual persons.
Local Government: A political division of a nation or (in federal system), state,
which is constituted by law and has substantial control of local affairs, including the
powers to impose taxes or to exact labour for prescribed purpose. The governing body
of such an entry is elected or otherwise locally selected. (United Nations).
Agriculture: The science or practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil for
the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other
products.
Agricultural Development: is the process that creates the conditions for the
fulfilment of agricultural potentials. Those conditions include the accumulation of
knowledge and availability of technology as well the allocation of inputs and output.
Agricultural Activities: is any activity directly related to the production or
processing of crops or livestock. The following are the forms of agricultural activities
in the communities that different people involve in: cultivation and growing of crops,
rearing of livestock and rearing of fish.
1.9 Research Methodology
1.9.1 Research Design
The research design for this study is survey research. The purpose is to enable the
researcher generalize from a sample population, so that inferences can be made. The
use of survey design can be justified on the basis of level of capital funding and
community mobilization and participation. The data collected centers on the
assessment of the effect of banditry on agricultural development in Giwa Local
Government Area. The responses of the respondents are measured on the five-point
likert scale.
1.9.2 Method of Data Collection
The instruments of primary data used were the questionnaire administered to the
people of the local government: Rural populace, Community Development
Association, traditional rulers local government staffs and top management. The

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questionnaire were design in simple language using close-ended and open-ended
patterns and in the responses of the respondents are measured on the five (5)point
Lickert Scale. Similarly, an unstructured interview and observation schedule was
design and contributed to the local government staff management, traditional rulers,
Community Development Association executive.
On the other hand, secondary source of data was generated from the stock or available
relevant materials on the topic under study. Published and unpublished materials have
been consulted and were duly acknowledged in like manners.
1.9.3 Source of Data
Data for this research was generated from two (2) main sources i.e the primary and
secondary sources. Several primary and secondary data are generated in this study
from different sources (directly and indirectly) and the sources provided the
framework of the presentation in this research work.
1.9.4 Population and Sample Size
Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State as the case study area of the research
has a heterogeneous population. The population of the study covered: rural populace,
local government staffs, management staffs, community development association and
traditional rulers.
According to 2006 Census Population figure, Giwa Local Government has 695,069
number of inhabitants, comprising of 349,004 males and 346,065 females.
1.9.5 Sampling Technique
A sample population for the study was drawn using the Steely Yamane (1967)
formula as expressed by Israel (1992) which is also known as Yamane's formula.
Which expressed as figure 1.1
n= N
----------------
1+N (e)²
n= 695,069
-------------------------

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1+695,069(95%)²
n= 695,069s
------------------------
1+695,069(0.05)²
n= 695,069
-------------------- 1+695,069(0.0025)²
n= 695,069
------------------
1+1738
695,069
n= ---------------
1739
n= 399.69
n 4,00 (sample size)

The questionnaires were administered using simple random, cluster, and stratified
sampling technique respectively.
1.9.6 Technique of Data Analysis
The essence of statistical analysis is to transform the raw data into meaningful form
for easy understanding and as a basis of drawing inference. In this research, the simple
percentage% and chi-Square statistics will be employed. This is because, they serve to
give a simple interpretation of variables that have been used for this study showing
their relationship.
1.9.7 Simple Percentage Method
No of respondents’ × 100
------------------------------
Total No of respondents

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Chi-Square
The statistical method of data analysis will be used to test the hypothesis formulated in
chapter one. It is presented as:
X²= (Fo-Fe)²
-------------
Fe
X²= chi-Square
Fo= Observed frequency
Fe= expected frequency
The 5% or 0.05 percent level of significance will be used.
1.10 Organization of Chapter
This section discusses what each of the chapter consist and how it is organized.
Chapter one discusses on the background of the study, statement of the problem,
objective of the study, research question, statement of hypothesis, significant of the
study, scope and limitation of the study and definition of key terms; while chapter two
consist of the concept of banditry, agricultural development, theoretical framework
and related empirical review. Chapter three will look at the historical background,
objectives and functions of Giwa Local Government, operation and organizational
structure of Giwa Local Government, and occupation of Giwa Local Government.
While chapter four consists of data presentation and analysis, test of hypothesis, and
findings, and the last chapter but not the least consists and discusses on summary,
conclusion and recommendations of the study.