The Impact of Armed Banditry on Women and Children in Nigeria: Challenges, Insights, and Future Outlook

Nigeria is bedevilled by a complex array of violent offenses directed both at individuals and the State itself. The phenomenon of armed banditry has notably intensified across Nigeria, presenting itself through various forms such as kidnapping, assaults on communities, arbitrary killings in rural areas, acts of sexual and gender-based violence, and the theft of livestock, among other manifestations. This study critically examines the impact of armed banditry. This pervasive malevolence affects various dimensions of national existence, particularly in its impact on women and children in the North-West and North-Central regions of Nigeria. The research examined an array of narratives concerning the motivations, expressions, and consequences of armed banditry, particularly about the at-risk populations of women and children. The analysis also examined the reactions of both state and non-state actors in their efforts to counter and prevent armed banditry in Nigeria. Utilizing secondary materials and employing the Human Needs Theory as the theoretical framework, the study concluded that factors such as inadequate governance, the presence of ungoverned spaces, exclusive political practices, poverty, incidental inequalities, the proliferation of weapons, and porous borders significantly contribute to armed banditry in Nigeria. It also recognized that women and children are predominantly vulnerable to livelihood and humanitarian challenges due to the prevalence of banditry. The research advocated for policy interventions to address the root causes of armed banditry, including poverty, inequality, and a lack of access to education and economic opportunities. It also recommended that stakeholders, including state and non-state actors, should provide protection and support services for women and children affected by armed banditry, such as counseling, healthcare, and economic empowerment programmes.