Banditry as Political Economy: Violence, Extraction, and Subnational State-Building in Northwest Nigeria

Abstract

This article takes a fresh look at the growing unrest in Northwest Nigeria. It sees banditry not just as a sign of a failing state or basic crime, but as a changing violent economic and political system. It goes beyond old ways of thinking to argue that violence is a tool used on purpose to gain wealth and show power. This has led to unofficial state-building by armed groups not part of the government. The paper looks at the many causes such as widespread poverty and lack of jobs for young people weak government control in some areas, and the easy access to guns and other weapons. It shows how violence is used to make money through mass kidnapping for ransom stealing large numbers of cattle, forcing farmers to pay, and taking over natural resources and trade routes. The study also shows how these groups that take from others have to make their own rules, provide security by force, and even settle arguments. This creates a separate system of control that goes against the usual government power. Using recent writings from 2020 and after, this study gives a deep look at this growing security problem and what it means for how the area is run. It suggests: (1) to deal with poverty through specific growth plans; (2) bringing back government control and make the official justice system stronger, and (3) disrupting the illicit financial networks that sustain the banditry political economy.