Arms Proliferation and the Rise of Banditry in Nigeria: A Study of the North- West Geo-Political Zone

In recent years, Nigeria’s North-West has slipped into a deep and devastating security crisis fuelled by the spread of small arms and light weapons and the rise of armed bandit groups. What was once a peaceful, predominantly farming region has become a centre of violence, marked by mass abductions, deadly raids, and the displacement of entire communities. With over 30,000 armed bandits operating across the region, more than 13,000 deaths have occurred and over one million people displaced. This study explored the role of the elite in driving arms proliferation, how arms fulled banditry, and the far-reaching social and economic consequences. It also examined the effectiveness of state response to the crisis and how affected communities tried to survive and adapt.The study used a mixed-methods design based on a pragmatic approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. It covered a population of 2,453,517 people across eight local governments in four North-West states (2006 Census). A sample of 577 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula and selected through multi-stage sampling. Data were gathered via structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Of 600 questionnaires distributed, 577 were returned and validated representing 96.2% response rate. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as percentages, correlation, chi-square, and regression through SPSS 26, while qualitative interviews were examined through thematic content analysis, integrating numerical results with participants’ experiences.Findings showed that the banditry crisis in Northwestern Nigeria was deeply rooted in governance failures, elite complicity, and chronic poverty as political and economic actors enabled the circulation of arms, while easy access to weapons triggered the rise of banditry. Banditry was found to have impacted socio-economic life of the people. The research showed government responses to be ineffective in addressing the conflict and equally found that community coping measures were ineffective. The study recommended that sustainable peace in the region requires stronger arms control, genuine disarmament and reintegration efforts, investment in rural development, and above all, political accountability for those who profit from instability.