Impact of Insecurity on Rural Development in Benue State, Nigeria

The escalation of insecurity had devastating effects on rural development and productivity. The study examined the impact of insecurity on rural development in Benue state with specific objectives, to: examine the nature of insecurity, evaluate the causes of insecurity, examine the effect of insecurity on agriculture, infrastructure and socio-economic wellbeing of residents, and suggest measure to curb the menace. Cross-sectional survey design was adopted, 400 respondents were selected from Zone A, B and C using cluster, purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected using questionnaire instrument. Descriptive statistical tools such as simple percentages and frequency tables were used to analyze the data collected. The findings of this study revealed that majority of the residents in Benue state have experienced different forms of insecurity such as herders-farmers clashes, armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry and communal clashes. The collected data showed that, struggle for land and scarce resources, ethnic or religious conflict, political instability, poverty and unemployment, weak security presence and proliferation of arms were the major causes of insecurity. The study also revealed that, insecurity has affected agriculture, infrastructure and socio-economic wellbeing resulting to farmers abandoning their farms, displacement of farming households, destruction of social amenities and facilities, loss of lives and properties and loss of income/financial instability. The following recommendations were made: state and local governments should increase the presence of security forces in rural areas, deploying police and community policing initiatives to affected areas; facilitate dialogue initiatives between farmers and herders establishing mediation committees to resolve disputes peacefully.