Banditry, Kidnapping And Internal Security In Kaduna And Zamfara State, Nigeria

Banditry and kidnapping have become an issue of global concern. The spate of violent attacks by Bandits and kidnapers alike, as evidenced in the abduction and killing of civilians and military personnel, has plunged Nigeria, particularly Kaduna and Zamfara State into a state of insecurity. Extant studies on the challenges of Banditry and Kidnapping have attempted to elucidate on the destruction of lives, properties, loss of financial resources, general insecurity and the attendant political colouration to the menace of Bandits and Kidnapers. However, in spite of the government’s counter-insurgency measures, the banditry and kidnapping activities have continued unabated. This study examined the challenges of Banditry and Kidnapping in Kaduna and Zamfara State, Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted. The population comprised 210 military and security agencies personnel, religious leaders, traditional leaders, IDPs and local vigilantes selected from Kaduna and Zamfara State in Northern Nigeria Total enumeration method was adopted. A validated questionnaire and structured interview guide were used for data collection. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients for the constructs in the questionnaire ranged from 0.71 to 0.94. The response rate was 90.8%. Data were analyzed using descriptive, inferential statistics. Perspectives from the interviews were thematically analyzed. Findings revealed that internal security had a significant effect on Banditry and Kidnapping in Kaduna and Zamfara State, Nigeria (M = 4.87, SD = 0.790). The study concluded that internal security had a significant effect on Banditry and Kidnapping in Kaduna and Zamfara State, Nigeria. It was recommended that government should find out the causes of banditry and kidnapping in the selected states and provide a means of eradicating it and security policies should be put in place and also set in motion in order to fight and prevent crime.