THE EFFECT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) ON ESCALATION OF ARMED BANDITRY IN ZAMFARA STATE, 2011–2024

Abstract

This study examines Information and communication technology (ICT)as an important aspect of globalization on the escalation of armed banditry in Zamfara state from 2011 to 2024. It provides analysis on how the use of ICT gadgets by armed bandits, such as mobile phone, digital technology, have been instrumental to escalation of armed banditry in Zamfara State. The theoretical underpinning is grounded on Technological Determinism Theory (TDT)which posits that technology is the primary force shaping and bringing societal changes, influencing human behaviour and institutions. Methodologically, the study adopts a qualitative approach, which include personal interview with some selected residents of the State, and utilizing secondary sources by reviewing related literatures from books, articles, scholarly publications, academic journals government reports, and historical documents. Content analysis was employed to examine the narrative and policy direction over time. The study discovered that, the emergence of ICT tools has transformed the operational strategies of armed bandits, using digital technology facilitates ransom negotiations and payments, the armed bandits utilized mobile phone and other digital tools to defile any effort by the security agents, and lastly, digital financial transactions played a role in funding and escalation of armed banditry in Zamfara state. The study recommended that, the government and other relevant stakeholders involved in ICT regulations such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) should ensure stricter regulation and adequate monitoring of ICT usage in the state, by formulation and enforcement of effective ICT policies and cyber laws, this will help to minimize cybercrime, online fraud and misinformation. Again, strengthening digital surveillance and inter-agency intelligence sharing among others, this can be done through adequate training of security personnel in cybercrime detection and digital investigation which will improve operational and technological capability of security forces and enhance early detection of threat.

Keywords: Information and Communication Technology; Escalation; Armed Banditry; Mobile Phone; Digital Technology

DOI: www.doi.org/10.36349/fujpam.2026.v5i01.019

Download the article:

author/Bashir Mainasara & Abubakar Mohammed, PhD

journal/FUJPAM Vol. 5, No. 1