ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF BANDITRY ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC LIVELIHOODS OF RESIDENTS IN GWADA COMMUNITY, SHIRORO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGER STATE

Abstract

Banditry had a profound and devastating impact on the communities of Gwada in Shiroro local government
area, Niger state, Nigeria. This study investigates the multifaceted consequences of banditry, encompassing
economic, social, and psychological dimensions. It further evaluates the effectiveness of government and nongovernmental organization (NGO) interventions aimed at mitigating the crisis. A mixed-methods approach was
employed, incorporating both primary and secondary data were (past researches, journals and news bulletin),
because they contained issues about bandits activities. Primary data was collected through the administration
of 97 structured questionnaires to a representative sample of the population across five communities: Limawa,
Hayin Basawa, Hayin Goburawa, Fabayi, and Tuluku. The sample size was determined using the Salants and
Dillman (2007) formula, considering the estimated population of 30,732 (2006 Census) with a projected
growth rate of 3.2% per annum. Findings of the study reveal a significant impact of banditry on the
community. Over 30% of respondents reported substantial economic losses, while nearly 70% were displaced
from their homes. A distressing 50% experienced severe or extreme psychological distress. The disruption of
essential services, including education and healthcare, affected over 80% of the population. The study
recommends, Re-establishing and strengthening essential public services like education, healthcare and
infrastructure; Encompassing security enhancements, economic revitalization, social and psychological
support and the restoration of essential public services.