Insecurity and Socio-Economic Development of Southern Taraba, Nigeria

Abstract

Insecurity in Southern Taraba from Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping for ransom, farmers/herdsmen conflicts to cattle rustling, ethnic crises, militia groups, armed robbery, cultism, amongst others have grown worst. Thus, it is unclear whether the socio-economic development of the area is affected as a result of incessant insecurity. This study was determined to assess the devastation of insecurity on the socio-economic development of Southern Taraba. The study adopted Robert Park’s conflict theory. A sample of 400 respondents was drawn from a population of 1,071,500 people across Southern Taraba using cluster, purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Instruments used for data collection were questionnaire and key informant interview. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings identified loss of lives and destruction of property, increased poverty, increase in crime rate, decline in economic activities, family instability, hunger and malnutrition and closure of schools as the socio-economic effects of
insecurity felt by the people of Southern Taraba. The study therefore recommended that, the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency should provide relief materials and shelter to those affected by crises resulting to extreme poverty and displacement from their ancestral homes, amongst others.