BANDITRY ATTACKS ON RUMINANT ANIMAL FARMERS KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA: CAUSES AND PROPOSED SOLUTIONS

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the causes of banditry attacks on ruminant animal farmers in Katsina State and proffer solutions. A Two-stage sampling method was used to select the farmers. Cattle markets were purposively selected from each of the three agricultural zones namely: Maiadua livestock market from Ajiwa zone, Charanchi livestock market from Dutsin-Ma zone and Sheme livestock market in Funtua zone. From each market, a random sample of twenty ruminant animal producers were taken to get a total of sixty respondents. Sixty one per cent (61%) of the respondents assert that joblessness/unemployment was the major reason of this vice. Other reasons worthy of note are lack of formal education and fear of God according to 27% and
23% of the respondents respectively. The study concluded that joblessness/unemployment and extreme poverty are the major causes of banditry in the study area. It is recommended that “stick and carrot” approach should be employed in tackling the menace of banditry. However, there should be increased presence of the military forces in the local areas where the attacks are frequent. More job opportunities and health facilities should be provided in the affected communities.