Banditry is a form of organized crime committed by outlaws, according to Wikipedia, and is usually associated with the threat or use of force. A person that is involved in banditry is known as a bandit and basically commits crimes such as molestation, extortion, robbery, and murder, either as an individual or in groups. In today's Nigerian economy, the rate of criminal activity by bandits is increasing, particularly in the northern region of Nigeria, a region with many security problems, mainly exposed to attacks by the Boko Haram group and the shepherds, which has become a common problem. Of particular concern and there are many opportunities for criminal activity. On the one hand, some of these communities are located in remote areas with little or no government presence, which provides an avenue for more criminal activity. Bandit involvement has so far caused a great deal of uncertainty in Northern Nigeria, which has degenerated into a complex national emergency with serious territorial implications such as loss of life and property, infrastructure, lack of investment from investors and migration of citizens to other countries. States, overpopulation, insecurity, unemployment, etc. In Nigeria, peanuts are generally grown and used to make peanut butter in the north, and cocoa is produced and used to make chocolate in the western region of Nigeria. Effectively between states, this will encourage international business, increase the gross domestic product (GDP) of the economy, and even encourage investment by investors in other countries.
The fight against banditry in Nigeria could be viewed as follows:
I .The creation of a ministry to deal with issues such as banditry in the region (particularly in the northern region) will help face the many challenges, including the problems of poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and radical Islam. This facility would be a way to win the hearts and minds of the locals and to cool down local grievances among bandits. State governments need to be empowered and disciplined, especially to avoid misappropriating funds to be used to fight bandits, especially in the north where we have boko haram and shepherds. Conspiracy talks should be ignored to avoid the distraction of not making an effort to fight these bandits.
ii. Appropriate and fair trials of bandits must be carried out quickly, for example by analyzing the case under Islamic law that is determined to be an activist or supporter of Boko Haram and allowing the law to run its course. Being tried for months or even years creates backlash and often mobilizes sympathy for suspects who are no good.
iii. The government should strive to provide services designed to win the hearts and minds of everyone in the state. The plan should aim to provide quality education, develop local capacities and create jobs. Financial stability is an essential requirement not only for price stability. The aim of the central bank is to ensure the healthy development of the economy. This is because financial instability creates a high cost to an economy that can lead to bankruptcy.
In addition, a stable economy promotes easy access to vital economic resources, including financial resources, quality housing and food, and work that provides a stable subsistence level.
Writer: Adewumi Ayobami
REFERENCES.
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/africa-in-focus/2014/05/14/boko-haram-in-nigeria-the-way-forward/
https://www.strifeblog.org/2021/01/08/the-growing-threat-of-armed-banditry-in-north-west-nigeria/
https://reliefweb.int/report/nigeria/what-can-be-done-fight-rural-banditry-northern-nigeria
