Assessing the impact of porous borders on banditry and kidnapping in north west Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the impact of porous borders on the frequency and severity of banditry and kidnapping in North West Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative research approach. The population used for the study comprised of security personnel, local government officials, victims of banditry and kidnapping, and residents from communities along the North West borders of Nigeria. Given the challenges of researching all subjects within a population and the difficulty in obtaining exact population figures for the target group in North East Nigeria, the sample size was calculated using Cochran's (1977) formula and stratified sampling technique was used to select the respondents for this study. The study employed questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The data collected for the study was analyzed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) through SmartPLS 3.0 software. The study found that porous borders have positive and significant impact on banditry and kidnapping in North West Nigeria. Based on the findings, the study concludes that porous borders positively and significantly influence banditry and kidnapping in North West Nigeria. The study thus recommended that Government should adopt a multifaceted approach to border management. This should include the establishment of more thorough identity checks and the use of biometric systems at all entry points to prevent kidnappers from crossing the border undetected. Strengthening the legal framework surrounding border security with harsher penalties for smuggling and kidnapping can act as a deterrent.