Banditry-Herdsmen Activities in Nigeria and National Development

Abstract

This study examines the interface between banditry-herdsmen activities in Nigeria and how it undermines national development. The study upholds that banditry-herdsmen activities ranging from kidnapping, raping, maiming, destruction farm land etc. have forcefully mutilated cultivation for fear of been unjustly attacked in the process. Consequently, trade and commerce have suffered tremendously as a result. The study anchored on the propositional trappings of structural functionalism theory to explain and bear witness to the argument that the failure of government in its primary responsibilities of providing the basic needs for its citizens resulted in the banditry-herdsmen activities in the country. We relied on documentary method for data collection, and content analysis for analysing the materials collected. The study revealed that many of the best brains and man power have fled for fear of either being kidnapped, killed or maimed, this not only resulting in inflation, but also undermining national development in the country. Recommended amongst other things, a window of dialogue utmost importance between the aggrieved parties within the government setting, community stakeholders, community youths among others.