Agriculture Under Siege: Armed Banditry And The Crisis Of Food Security In Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Armed banditry has emerged as a major threat to agricultural production and food security in Northwestern Nigeria. This study investigates its impact on the region’s agrarian economy using a content analysis approach that integrates data from scholarly sources, security reports, and humanitarian assessments. Findings indicate that banditry fueled by socio-economic deprivation, weak governance, environmental stress, and the proliferation of small arms has disrupted farming through land abandonment, cattle rustling, crop destruction, and extortion of rural communities. These disruptions have undermined food security dimensions of availability, accessibility, and stability, leading to declining agricultural output, soaring food prices, and increasing malnutrition. The study concludes that armed banditry transcends criminality, constituting a structural threat to livelihood and regional stability. It recommends integrated responses that strengthen rural security, promote youth economic inclusion, and support sustainable agricultural recovery.

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