POLITICAL ECONOMY OF BANDITRY IN NIGERIA: ATHREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY

Abstract

Banditry in Nigeria has become a prayer point in many homes. Over the years, the term has metamorphosed and grown into a structured and organized institution, creating its own political and economic system. Its organization and mode of operation has made it a huge threat to national security. People are constantly on the lookout in order to avoid being robbed, raped, kidnapped, or murdered. The response of the government to this vice has not been as swift as expected. Even, the economic strength of bandits seems to be more effective than that of the military that is funded by the government. This study, therefore, explores extensively the political economy of banditry and how they have evolved over the years. For its theoretical framework, it adopted the Queer Ladder Theory (QLT). “Queer Ladder Theory is of the notion that organised crime thrives in contexts where the government's capacity to dictate, sanction and deter crime is poor; where public corruption is endemic; and where prospects for legitimate livelihood opportunities are slim.†Studies of other researchers were carefully visited, with relevant information sifted out to guide this study. By recommendation, the paper encourages the government to invest heavily in security so that the economy of the military could outmatch that of the bandits. It also suggests to citizens to be careful of their movements, especially around the forest areas, as those are mostly the hideouts of the bandits.