"Armed Banditry and the Decline of Agrarian Livelihoods: An Assessment of Food Production Dynamics in Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria"

The escalation of armed banditry has become one of the most formidable security threats facing Nigeria, particularly in rural enclaves where violent raids, abductions, livestock theft, and property destruction have severely disrupted agricultural systems and food availability. This deteriorating security landscape prompted the current investigation, which assessed the consequences of banditry on food production in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. Specifically, the study examined the patterns and frequency of bandit operations, their ramifications for agricultural output and food accessibility, the countermeasures implemented to address the crisis, and the obstacles hindering effective interventions. The Political Economy Theory provided the analytical lens for the study, as it illuminates how deprivation, joblessness, social disparities, ineffective governance, and contests over limited resources fuel insecurity and criminal enterprises within communities. A survey research approach was employed, utilizing structured questionnaires and comprehensive interviews for data collection. Questionnaire data were processed using descriptive percentages, while interview transcripts and documentary evidence were examined qualitatively through content analysis. The findings established that banditry has evolved into a pervasive, coordinated, and devastating phenomenon, generating widespread fear, population displacement, desertion of agricultural lands, and grave threats to food production in Shiroro Local Government Area. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that banditry diminished food yields, discouraged agricultural engagement, escalated production expenses, and jeopardized food security and household livelihoods. Community-based vigilante structures and resettlement initiatives emerged as the most effective intervention strategies, whereas military deployments and financial assistance proved insufficient. Recurring obstacles identified included insufficient funding, deficient equipment, endemic poverty, graft, and political meddling. The study determined that durable remedies necessitate community-driven security frameworks, technology-enabled monitoring, youth economic empowerment, institutional accountability, and depoliticized security operations. Consequently, the study advocates, among other measures, that authorities should reinforce community-based security mechanisms by bolstering vigilante organizations, broaden youth empowerment schemes through agricultural credit facilities and skills acquisition programmes, and guarantee openness and responsibility in security operations devoid of corruption and political manipulation.

Armed Banditry, Food Production, Food Security, Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State

1. Abdullahi, A. (2022). Community resilience and rural security in Northwestern Nigeria. Journal of Rural Development Studies, 14(2), 45-62. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Abdussalam, A., Attah, J., & Sule, M. (2022). Assessment of rural banditry and socio-economic implication in Niger State: A focus on Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State, 2015-2021. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Abolade, A. P., Lawal, I. O., Akanbi, K. L., & Salami, A. O. (2025). Unlocking the future of food security through access to finance for sustainable agribusiness performance. ArXiv Preprint. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Adamu, A., & Rasheed, K. (2021). Armed banditry and food production in Northwestern Nigeria. African Journal of Security Studies, 6(2), 101-118. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Adebayo, T., & Sule, M. (2024). Banditry, food production, and price dynamics in Nigeria's agrarian communities. Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development, 13(1), 22-38. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Aderayo, A. A., & Omojowo, S. T. (2024). Rural banditry and food security in Oyo State (2019-2023). Journal of Political Studies, 31(1), 112-126. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Agyo, Z. B., & Wake, D. T. (2025). Assessment of effects of banditry on maize farmers in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 9(3), 379-382. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Ajiboye, A. O., Folagbade, A. M., Oduleye, O. O., Onah, C. C., Amoh, M. U., & Ayankunle, K. A. (2023). Impact of insurgency on agricultural product distribution and marketing in Niger State, Nigeria. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Ameh, E. U. (2023). Effect of bandits' attacks on food security in Nigeria: A review. Kashere Journal of Politics and International Relations, 3(1), 95-108. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Ayinoko, S. T., Leke, J. O., Akor, O., Okpanachi, A. U., Alhassan, I. D., & Shirama, L. (2025). Impacts of banditry on farming activities, agri-business and food security. International Journal of Global Affairs, Research and Development, 2(2), 30-45. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Prentice-Hall, 1(2), 22-45. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Berkowitz, L. (1962). Aggression: A social psychological analysis. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 65(4), 379-387. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Brown, A., & Lee, K. (2024). Food and nutrition security definitions, constructs, frameworks, measurements, and applications: Global lessons. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, 1340149. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Bushman, B. J., & Anderson, C. A. (2001). Is it time to pull the plug on the hostile versus instrumental aggression dichotomy? Psychological Review, 7(4), 343-356. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Campi, M., Dueñas, M., & Fagiolo, G. (2021). Specialization in food production affects global food security and food systems sustainability. World Development, 141, 105411. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Caporaso, J. A., & Levine, D. P. (1992). Theories of Political Economy. Cambridge University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Dabale, J. D., & Enganya, Y. (2025). Impact of rural banditry on food security in Taraba State, Nigeria. Jalingo Journal of Social and Management Sciences. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Daily Trust. (2023). Bandits' Attacks Hindering Yam Production - Niger Farmers. Daily Trust. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Daszkiewicz, T. (2022). Food production in the context of global developmental challenges. Agriculture, 12(6), 832. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Data Deep-Dive. (2025). Numbers behind Nigeria's banditry northwest crisis. iTelemedia. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Dearsley, D. J., & Enganya, Y. (2024). Impact of rural banditry on food security in Taraba State, Nigeria. Jalingo Journal of Social and Management Sciences, 6(1), 66-78. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Dollard, J., Doob, L. W., Miller, N. E., Mowrer, O. H., & Sears, R. R. (1939). Frustration and aggression. American Psychological Association Monograph, 44(3), 359-372. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Emmanuel, J., Ishaku, M., & Awodoyin, F. O. (2025). Impact of banditry on food security in Katsina State, Nigeria. Journal of Humanities and Social Science. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Navigating Climate Challenges in Tourism: Sustainable Practices and Innovative Approaches
• Siberia and the Far East: Development vs. Sustainability
• From Potable Water to Drinking Water: A Conceptual Clarification Based on Individual Boreholes in African Peri-Urban Areas
• Traditional Agricultural Equipment’s and Using Techniques of the Santal Tribe in the Context of Tourism Development
• Dynamics of the Development of Natural Gravitational Processes (Landslides) In the Medium-Mountain Regions of Georgia: The Case of Imereti (2010–2022)