Confronting Insecurity: Community Resilience and Economic Survival in Kwara State’s Banditry-Affected Areas

Abstract

Banditry has become a pervasive form of insecurity across rural Nigeria, undermining agricultural productivity, disrupting trade, and eroding household economic survival. This study examines how rural communities in Kwara State confront violent disruptions through resilience strategies and adaptive economic behaviors. Guided by six research questions and five hypotheses, the study employed a quantitative approach using a 36‑item structured questionnaire administered to 300 participants across five Local Government Areas (Baruten, Edu, Ifelodun, Irepodun, and Patigi). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and Chi‑square tests. Findings revealed that banditry manifests primarily through kidnappings (mean = 3.28), armed robbery (mean = 3.22), village raids (mean = 3.19), and extortion (mean = 3.15). The economic consequences are severe, ranging from farmland abandonment (mean = 3.42) to collapsed local markets (mean = 3.32), significant household income decline (mean = 3.29), and increased food prices with worsening poverty levels (mean = 3.30). Despite weak government interventions, communities demonstrated resilience through livelihood diversification (mean = 3.20), cooperative societies providing financial buffers (mean = 3.19), and religious and traditional leaders mobilizing solidarity and mediating conflicts (mean = 3.24). Chi‑square analysis confirmed strong associations between banditry and household economic decline (χ² = 24.67, df = 3, p < 0.001), resilience strength and reduced disruption (χ² = 18.54, df = 2, p < 0.001), and livelihood diversification and household survival (χ² = 19.88, df = 2, p < 0.001). Government interventions were significant but weaker (χ² = 6.12, df = 2, p = 0.047), while community solidarity showed a robust link to sustainability of survival strategies (χ² = 21.33, df = 3, p < 0.001). The study concludes that sustainable solutions must integrate institutional reforms with community‑based strategies. Policy recommendations emphasize strengthening community security initiatives, enhancing livelihood diversification, leveraging social capital, improving government responsiveness, and embedding resilience mechanisms into local governance.