A CRITICAL INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECT OF INTERNAL BANDITRY ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY, ZAMFARA STATE.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

It is a well-known fact that insecurity is an existential danger that threatens Nigeria's socioeconomic and political progress. The daily coverage of violence, bloodshed, suffering, and abductions is evidence of the unchecked power of non-state armed groups and their pervasive presence in the social fabric of Nigeria. Extremist groups have established a culture of violence caught in the cyclic web of terrorism, insurgency, kidnap-for-ransom, unknown gunmen, militancy, farmer-herder conflict, armed robbery, and banditry(Abraham J, 2021). These multi-pronged security challenges – predominant in the various geopolitical regions of the country – are symptomatic of a nation in crisis, overwhelmed by recurring conflict and violence.

Conceptually, internal banditry refers to acts of criminality, violence, or disruptive behavior that occur within a particular group, organization, or community. It typically involves individuals who are part of the same group engaging in activities that harm the group's cohesion, integrity, or well-being. Internal banditry can manifest in various forms, including theft, fraud, subversion, bullying, or any actions that undermine the common goals, trust, or safety of the group(Akinyemi,2021). However, the country's northern regions are severely plagued by banditry especially Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kano and Jigawa states. Moreover, pockets of bandit attacks have been reported in other parts of the country, including the Ondo state (Sanchi et al. 2022). Banditry causes disruptions and security threats in the northern parts of the country. One sector that has been heavily impacted by menace is tertiary education, where an atmosphere of fear and insecurity has been created, thus discouraging students’ school attendance and hindering the ability of varsities to function effectively (Ngwoke & Akabike, 2022). Banditry has significantly affected education in Nigeria through the kidnapping of students, teachers, and school staff. This has critically affected the academic performance of undergraduates in university.

Further more, academic performance is a critical measure of a student's ability to grasp and apply knowledge and skills, and it plays a significant role in determining future educational and career opportunities. Internal banditry has encompass a wide range of negative actions, including theft, bullying, cheating, vandalism, disruption of learning environments, and other behaviors that undermine the educational process and the overall well-being of the affected undergraduate students in Federal university, Zamfara, state.

Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to critically investigate on the effect of internal banditry on the academic performance of undergraduate students in federal university, Zamfara state.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Banditry, characterized by criminal and violent activities carried out by organized groups or individuals, poses a significant threat to the safety, security, and social fabric of affected regions. Nigerian educational institutions are now faced with significant challenges across all dimensions, including issues related to both accessibility and the quality of education provided. Nevertheless, it might be said that the recent series of widespread abductions of students is the most severe existential peril and dilemma confronting the education system. According to Adeniran and Castradori (2021), during a span of less than three months from December 2020 to March 2021, a total of over 600 students were abducted while attending school, in three distinct occurrences. Of more concern is the observation that the increased state of insecurity is mostly prevalent in the northern region of Nigeria, an area that already has educational disadvantages. Further more, out of the approximate 10.5 million children that are not enrolled in schools throughout the nation, it is seen that 69 percent of them are from the Northern region. This particular region is characterized by cultural practices and economic disadvantages that hinder children's active engagement in educational institutions. The area is significantly impacted by the insurgent actions of Boko Haram, which have severe consequences for both the economic and education institutions. The current surge in banditry has a significant likelihood of eroding community and family confidence in the education system. There is a potential for a substantial decrease in literacy rates, which might exacerbate the issue of limited access to high-quality and fair education. It is in the light of these that the study seeks to  investigate on the effect of internal banditry on the academic performance of undergraduate students in federal University, Zamfara state.

 1.3  Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to investigate on the effect of internal banditry on the academic performance of undergraduate students in federal University, Zamfara state. Specifically, the study will;

1.        Determine the prevalence of internal banditry in Zamfara state.

2.        Ascertain the causes of internal banditry in Zamfara state.

3.        Examine the effect of Internal banditry on the academic performance of undergraduate students in Federal University, Zamfara state

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

1.         What is the prevalence of internal banditry in Zamfara state?

2.         What are the  causes of internal banditry in Zamfara state?

3.         How does internal banditry affect the academic performance of undergraduate students in Federal University, Zamfara state?

1.5  Significant of the Study

A critical investigation on the effect of internal banditry on the academic performance of undergraduate students in federal university, Zamfara state will be revealed to the government at various levels, stakeholders involved in education policies, teachers, school management, media houses and  students in this study. It will be valuable to educators, policymakers, and administrators seeking to implement measures to address internal banditry and improve academic outcomes for students. Additionally, this study will contribute to the broader discourse on student well-being and the challenges faced in contemporary educational settings.

Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to a critical investigation on the effect of internal banditry on the academic performance of undergraduate students in federal University, Zamfara state.

1.6 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is boarded on a critical investigation on the effect of internal banditry on the academic performance of undergraduate students in federal University, Zamfara state. Geographically, the study will be delimited to undergraduate students in Federal University, Zamfara state.

1.7 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents.

In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed.

More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

 1.9 Definition of Terms

Banditry: a type of organized crime committed by outlaws, typically involving the threat or use of violence.

Academic performance: is defined as the performance of’ students in academic endeavor, which could be good or bad.

Student:a person who is studying at a university or other place of higher education.

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