BORDER MONITORING AND ARMED BANDITRY: CHALLENGES TO PEACE AND

STABILITY IN NIGERIA

Nsikak Mathias UDOSEN

MSC.(UYO)
18/PG/SS/IR/PhD/001

August 2023

i
BORDER MONITORING AND ARMED BANDITRY: CHALLENGES TO PEACE AND
STABILITY IN NIGERIA

Nsikak Mathias UDOSEN

18/PG/SS/IR/PhD/001

A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND PUBLIC

ADMINISTRATION,
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
UNIVERSITY OF UYO

SUBMITTED TO

POST-GRADUATE SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA. IN

PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF PhD
IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

August 2023

ii
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this thesis entitled: Border Monitoring and Armed Banditry: Challenges to

Peace and Stability in Nigeria, is written by me and it is the record of my own research work. It has

not been presented in any previous application for a higher degree. All sources of information are

specifically acknowledged using references.

Signed………… Date…………

Nsikak Mathias Udosen

iii
 CERTIFICATION

The thesis entitled ‘Border Monitoring and Armed Banditry: Challenges to Peace and Stability in

Nigeria’ by Nsikak Mathias Udosen (13/PG/SS/IR/PhD/001), meets the regulations governing the

award of the degree of doctor of philosophy (PhD) of the University of Uyo and is approved for its

contribution to knowledge and literary presentation.

a) Supervisor Date…………………………

Signature……………….. Rank………………………...

Name……………………………………..

Department/Faculty…………………………………..

b) Internal Examiner Date…………………………

Signature…………………… Rank………………………...

Name……………………………………….

Department/Faculty………………………………………

c) Co-Supervisor, Head of Department & Chief Examiner Date…………………………

Signature……………….. Rank………………………...

Name……………………………………….

Department/Faculty…………………………………..

d) External Examiner Date…………………………

Signature…………………… Rank………………………...

Name………………………………………

Department/Faculty……………………………………….

iv
 DEDICATION

This work as it remembers those who have lost their lives and property in the spate of Armed

Banditry violence and terrorism in Nigeria, is dedicated to God Almighty for giving me the grace to

complete this task.

v
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study is made possible by direct or indirect contributions to a number of good people.

My first appreciation goes to my thesis supervisor, Dr. Mannaseh Bassey and Co-supervisor Prof.

Basil C. Onuoha and my internal examiner, Prof. Aniekan Brown for all painstakingly reading my

manuscripts several times and offering constructive criticisms, insightful advice and direction for the

completion of the work. I am grateful to all my lecturers in the department of political science and

Public Administration for their impartation of Knowledge.

Also, my sincere ‘thank you’ goes to my HOD, Political Science and Public Administration,

my Vetter, my internal and external examiners for their immense assessment and correction of my

work. More endearingly, I owe special appreciation to my beloved parents and siblings, to Victoria

Aniekan Willy, Victor Ebong, Dr. Frank Udukeke, Dr. Uko Uwak, Dr. Ndifreke Umo-udo, Dr. Edet

Tom, Prof. Dominic Akpan, my colleagues and friends who are too numerous to mention, for their

love and support. Finally, I sincerely thank God for His grace and mercies made available to me

throughout my programme. To God be the glory!

vi
 Abstract

Border points in Nigeria have over the years, been characterized by its porous nature, weak control
and a dearth of security personnel. This has aided the illegal entry of miscreants and terrorist groups
into Nigeria. The efforts of the government to eradicate insurgency, banditry and corruption have
been slow and costly in terms of public funds spent, lives and properties lost. This has made the
citizenry to question the efficiency of government in tackling the menace. Using frustration-
aggression theory, resource access theory and conspiracy theory, the paper then revealed that the
growth and flourishing entry without proper check or monitoring, has brought about insurgency,
armed banditry, kidnapping and corruption, etc. which has become a problem of security as a result
of these borderless-borders in Nigeria, with armed banditry becoming one of the most intractable
challenges facing the country today. There are many speculations that the groups may have found
their way through our porous borders. Therefore, the study looks into the nature of Nigeria borders
and armed banditry activities, using Historical/descriptive method of research and analysis in Border
Monitoring and Armed Banditry: Challenges to peace and stability in Nigeria. The study data were
collected through documentation of secondary sources, including review of related literature,
journals and writeups even as it built on the findings of already existing works about emerging secu-
rity threats in Nigeria. The study is concluded by recommending among others that the country shou
ld evolve a reliable coordinated Patrols and JointPatrols with neighboring countries, in frame of bilat
eral or trilateral cooperation and a sustainable social security system that will discourage public hold
ers from engaging in corruption, with good information sharing techniques/technologies, as well as
providing gainful employment opportunities for the citizenry, etc.

(284 words)

vii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

COVER PAGE - - - - I
TITLE PAGE - - - - - II
DECLARATION - - - - III
CERTIFICATION - - - - IV
DEDICATION - - - - V
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT - - - VI
ABSTRACT - - - - - VII
TABLE OF CONTENT - - - VIII
LIST OF TABLES - - - - XI
LIST OF FIGURES - - - - XII
ABBREVIATIONS - - - - XIII

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study - - - - - - - 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem - - - - - - - 3
1.3 Research questions - - - - - - - - 4
1.4 Objectives of the Study - - - - - - - - 5
1.5 Significance of the Study - - - - - - - 5
1.6 Statement of Hypotheses - - - - - - - 7
1.7 Scope and Organization of the Study - - - - - 8
1.8 Operational definition of Key Concepts - - - - - 8

viii
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK

2.1 General Text - - - - - - - - - 15

2.2 Configuration studies - - - - - - - - 21

2.3 Case studies - - - - - - - - - - 41

2.4 Empirical studies - - - - - - - - 55
2.5 Comparative studies - - - - - - - - 86
2.6 Institutional studies - - - - - - - - 95
2.7 Theoretical Framework - - - - - - - 118

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design - - - - - - - - 127
3.2 Study Area - - - - - - - - - 128
3.3 Sources of Data - - - - - - - - 129
3.4 Method of Data Analysis - - - - - - - 129

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Analysis and Evaluation of Test of Hypotheses - - - - 130
4.1.1 Analysis and Evaluation of Hypothesis 1 - - - - - 130
4.1.2 Analysis and Evaluation of Hypothesis 2 - - - - - 132
4.1.3 Analysis and Evaluation of Hypothesis 3 - - - - - 133
4.1.4 Analysis and Evaluation of Hypothesis 4 - - - - - 135
4.1.5 Analysis and Evaluation of Hypothesis 5 - - - - - 135
4.1.6 Analysis and Evaluation of Hypothesis 6 - - - - - 138
4.1.7 Analysis and Evaluation of Hypothesis 7 - - - - - 141
4.2 Discussion of Findings - - - - - - - 143

ix
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary - - - - - - - - - 147
5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - - - 148
5.3 Recommendations - - - - - - - - 150
References - - - - - - - - - 153

x
 LIST OF TABLES

TABLE TITLE PAGE

2.2.2 Patterns and forms of Armed Banditry in Nigeria - - - 30

2.3.1 Recent incidences of Banditry in Nigeria’s Northwest Region - 43

xi
 LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE TITLE PAGE

2.3.3 Map of Nigeria showing areas affected by Northwest Banditry Crisis

July 2020 - - - - - - - - - 52

2.3.4 Showing the number of fatalities from Banditry attacks from 2018-2020- 53

2.4.2 Map of Nigeria’s 36 states, FCT & Neighbour’s Border - - 64

2.4.3 Customs patrol at Nigeria’s borders and Joint patrols to flush out
Armed Banditry - - - - - - - 65

2.4.4 Conflict situation in the North-west and North-Central Nigeria

by 2018-2021 - - - - - - - - 65

2.4.7 Displaced Nigerians caused by Armed Banditry - - - 75

2.4.8 Statistical analysis of In and Out of School Children ages (6-11 years)- 76

2.4.9 Numbers of Out of School Children per Northern States - - 77

2.4.10 Carnages of Armed Banditry attacks and bombing and Military

Operations to flush out Armed Banditry - - - - 82

2.4.11 Typical economic activities and ferry of farm produce with rickety
Vehicles and motorcycles which attracts limited losses if seized from
Owners - - - - - - - - 83

2.5.1 Gang of Armed Bandits in Northwest regions of Nigeria - - 87

xii
 ABBREVIATIONS

ACF - Arewa Consultative Forum

AI - Amnesty International

AIDS - Acquire Immune Deficiency Syndrome

API - Advanced Passenger Information

APP - Advanced Passenger Processing

AQIM - Al Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb

AU - African Union

BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation

BLOs - Border Liaison Offices

CBN - Central Bank of Nigeria

CCDS - Committee of Chiefs of Defence Services

CCISS - Committee of Chiefs of Intelligence and Security Services

CNN - Cable Network News

COVID19 - Coronavirus Disease 2019

DPO - Divisional Police Officer

DRC - Democratic Republic of Congo

DSS - Department of State Service

ECOWAS - Economic Community of West African State

EU - European Union

FCT - Federal Capital Territory

xiii
FEW - Famine Early Warning System

FGN - Federal Government of Nigeria

FOBs - Forward Operating Bases

GDP - Gross Domestic Products

GIABA - Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in

West Africa

GLR - Gas Liquid Ratio

GPI - Global Peace Index

GTI - Global Terrorism Index

HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus

IBM - Integrated Border Management

IDPs - Internally Displaced Persons

IEDS - Improvised Explosive Device

IEP - Institute for Economics and Peace

INTERPOL - International Criminal Police Organization

IPOB - Indigenous People of Biafra

ISGS - Islamic State in Greater Sahara

ISIS - Islamic State of Iraq and Syria

ISIL - Islamic State of Iraq and Levant

ISWAP - Islamic State of Western Province

JBPs - Joint Border Posts

xiv
JNIM - Jam’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslim

LGA - Local Government Area

MIDAS - Migration Information and Data Analysis System

MNJTF - Multinational Joint Task Force

MOBITs - Mobile Interdiction Teams

NAF - Nigeria Air Force

NBS - National Bureau of Statistics

NCC - Nigerian Communications Commission

NCDC - Nigeria Centre for Disease and Control

NCS - Nigeria Customs Service

NDA - Nigerian Defence Academy

NET - Network

NFIU - Nigerian Financial Intelligent Unit

NSAGs - Non State Armed Groups

PSC - Police Service Commission

RPGs - Rocket Propelled Grenades

SALWs - Small Arms and Light Weapons

SARS - State Anti-Robbery Squad

SERAP - Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project

SDG - Sustainable Development Goal

xv
SSS - State Security Service

TOC - Transnational Organized Crimes

UAE - United Arab Emirate

UAV - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

UBEC - Universal Basic Education Commission

UK - United Kingdom

UN - United Nations

UNHCR - United Nations High Commission for Refugees

UNICEF - United Nations Children Emergency Fund

UNMAS - United Nations Mine Action Service

UNSC - United Nations Security Council

US - United States

UXO - Unexploded Ordinance

WAPCCO - West African Police Chiefs Committee

WAPIS - West African Police Information System

WFP - World Food Program

xvi