Rural Banditry and Food Security in Takum Local Government Area

Abstract

Rural banditry in the form of cattle rustling, kidnapping, village raids, and armed robbery has become a growing security threat in many parts of Nigeria, particularly in the northern and central regions, including Taraba State. Rural banditry disrupts agricultural activities, undermines food security, and contributes to economic instability and mass displacement. This study investigates the effect of rural banditry on food security in Takum Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria. With the aid of the study objectives, four hypothesis were formulated in the study. A sample size of 367 was adopted from the population of the study using Krejcie and Morgan Table of 1970 formula for sample size determination. Proportionate sampling technique was used to determine the number of respondents drawn from each of the wards in Takum Local Government Area since all the wards do not have equal number of populations. The summation of all the responses was presented using frequency tables and simple percentages. In addition, the mean analysis was used to analyse the data generated from the field while the chi-square statistical tool was used to test the hypotheses formulated in the study with table chi-square of 16.919 and calculated chi-square of 21.41, the study revealed among other that, there is a significant relationship between rural banditry and food security in Takum Local Government Area.