Dutse Varsity Launches Research to Tackle Banditry, Kidnapping

The Federal University Dutse (FUD), Jigawa State, has launched a 24-month research project to explore how alternative livelihood opportunities can help tackle banditry, kidnapping and farmers-herders conflicts in Northern Nigeria.

The project, known as Tech4Peace: Engaging Northern Nigeria Pastoralists in Non-Agricultural Livelihoods to Counter Banditry and Kidnapping in Kaduna and Jigawa States, seeks to identify sustainable income opportunities for pastoralist communities as part of efforts to address some of the socioeconomic challenges associated with insecurity.

The initiative, funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) under its National Research Fund programme, is led by Professor Ado Garba Jangargari and will run for 24 months.

Speaking at the project’s inception workshop at the university, Jangargari said the research would examine how vocational training, entrepreneurship and alternative sources of income could complement pastoralism and reduce economic vulnerabilities among pastoralist households.

He said the seasonal nature of economic activities could leave some households, particularly young people, with limited income opportunities during certain periods, making it necessary to explore other sustainable means of livelihood.

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The project will examine opportunities in occupations such as tailoring, carpentry, shoemaking, bag-making, welding and cosmetics production, with particular attention to youths and women.

The researchers also plan to engage traditional rulers, government institutions, security agencies, academics and community members to ensure that the proposed interventions reflect the needs of affected communities.

They said the initiative was not intended to replace pastoralism but to provide additional sources of income, improve household earnings and strengthen economic resilience.

However, the researchers acknowledged that livelihood interventions alone could not end banditry and kidnapping, stressing the need to complement them with existing security measures and other interventions.

Speaking at the event, the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Muhammad Hamim Nuhu, represented by Wamban Dutse, Alhaji Mustapha Aminu, said farmers-herders conflicts in Jigawa had come under greater control through interventions by successive administrations.

Aminu, a former head of the Jigawa State Civil Service, recalled chairing a committee that investigated clashes between farmers and herders in Kaugama and Miga local government areas.

He said the committee’s recommendations led to disciplinary measures against individuals found responsible for the conflicts, including some traditional leaders.

He added that the establishment of the Farmers and Herders Board had provided a mechanism for resolving disputes and addressing issues relating to land use and the protection of forest reserves.

The monarch called for sustained efforts to consolidate the progress made in managing the conflicts, noting that effective institutions, enforcement of regulations and engagement with affected communities remained essential.

The Vice-Chancellor of FUD, Professor Ahmad Muhammad Gumel, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Central Administration, Professor Nasir Umar, commended the research team for focusing on security challenges affecting Northern Nigeria.

He urged the researchers to develop practical recommendations that could support lasting solutions to banditry, kidnapping and other security threats, while pledging the university’s support within available resources.

The researchers said the findings would provide evidence to guide government policies and help development partners design more effective livelihood, peacebuilding and community development programmes in Jigawa, Kaduna and other parts of Northern Nigeria.