Pages: (165-181 )
Abstract
Guided by Frustration-Aggression Theory (FAT), this paper
examined the menace of armed banditry and its implications on
voter turnout at elections in Katsina State of North-Western
Nigeria from 2015 to 2019. The paper utilized both primary and
secondary methods of data collection. Primary method involves
generating data via Structured Questionnaire (SQ) administered
to target respondents selected through multi-stage sampling
procedure. 400 respondents formed the sample size determined
through Krejcie and Morgan (1970) statistical table for sample
size determination Secondary method entails that data were
generated from books, journals and web-based materials among
others. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. The
research hypotheses were tested using non parametric statistics
(chi square) at 5% level of significance. Findings of the study
showed that poverty and unemployment are the major factors
responsible for the rising spate of armed banditry in the State.
Findings alsoshowedthat armedbanditrymanifestsmostlyinthe
formofkidnapping/massabductionofpeopleforransom.Further
findings revealed that, armed banditry poses a threat to the
security of lives and property of the people in the State, which in
turn has negative implications on voter turnout at elections. The
result of the test of hypothesis revealed that, there is significant
relationship between armed banditry and voter turnout at
elections in Katsina State. Provisions of employment
opportunities by the State government and other stakeholders as
well as strengthening of the security architecture before, during
andafterelectionsarerecommendedasthewayforward.
Keywords: Armed banditry, elections, Katsina state, menace, voter turnout,