Abstracts
Since 2011, Zamfara state has been hit by
an unprecedented wave of security challenges such as kidnapping for ransom,
cattle rustling and armed banditry which has led to maiming, killings,
displacements of people and disruption of socio-economic activities due to the
havoc wreaked by armed bandits in the state. These events have created a
climate of uncertainty that has become a cause for concern for the government
and the citizenry. The federal government, the civil society organizations and
international organizations have responded in various ways to armed banditry in
the state. These responses have range from military to non-military approach
and recently, the creation of Community
Protection Guards known as Askarawan Gusau by Zamfara state government. This
study therefore, examined the role of
Community Protection Guards (Askarawa) as a localized solution to armed
banditry in Zamfara state. Methodologically, the study relied on primary
and secondary sources of data and adopted social contract theory as a guide to
the study. The findings of the study revealed that the Askarawas played a vital role in anti-banditry war. They have arrested hundreds of men suspected to be
informants and criminal gangs, recovered arms and ammunitions and rescued
hundreds of kidnapped persons, the study recommend that the government should
continue the annual recruitment of the Askarawas among the local population as
they are familiar with terrain and can easily detect, identify and make arrest
of any suspected bandits.
Key Words: Banditry, Armed Bandits, Community
Protection Guards (Askarawa), Informants,
DOI: www.doi.org/10.36349/fujpam.2025.v4i01.004
author/Umaru, M., Mela, K. & Eneuwa, H.O.
journal/FUJPAM Vol. 4, No. 1
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