EFFECTS OF ARMED BANDITRY ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE OF SOKOTO EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF SOKOTO STATE - NIGERIA

The issue of armed banditry continued to be a serious problem which caused many adverse effects on the economic development of Sokoto East. The paper consists of two objectives which are the effects of armed banditry on food production and unemployment in Sokoto East. Armed banditry in the area has affected food production and unemployment in Sokoto East Senatorial District of Sokoto State. Two theories are adopted and they are the social disorganization theory and queen ladder theory which all explained the effects of armed banditry on the economic development of Sokoto East Senatorial District of Sokoto State. Survey research design was adopted and primary data were collected using questionnaires. The population of the study was 8000 and a sample size of 300 respondents was selected in the 3 Local Government Areas of Sokoto East which were Rabah, Sabon Birni, and Isa. The analysis of the data was conducted using simple percentages. Inferential statistical tool consisting of multiple regression was used to test two (2) hypotheses. The two hypotheses that were tested revealed that there were statistically significant relationships between armed banditry and food production and unemployment in Sokoto East Senatorial District of Sokoto State. The study was concluded and recommended that there was the need for the intensification of agricultural food production of Sokoto East and more employment opportunities should be provided to the people.