THE EFFECT OF INSECURITY ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN MAYO-BELWA

Abstract

The article presents the socio-economic effects of insecurity on the residents of MayoBelwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria and indeed the entire Northeastern region. It demonstrates the effect of insecurity in the region as experienced from 2010 to 2020, in which the LGA was underpinned with marks of peace and peaceful coexistence among residents of diverse religious, cultural backgrounds and political affiliations. Mayo-Belwa LGA was also known for its above average socio-economic activities, which served as the main source of livelihood for residents before the rampant cases of attacks on innocent residents, especially those in the rural areas. Sadly, insecurity has hindered food production and crippled socio-economic activities, thus increasing the rate of unemployment in the country as a whole. The article argues that if insecurity is not urgently addressed in Mayo-Belwa and Nigeria as a whole, it could result in massive starvation which could lead to citizens’ revolt, resulting in a monumental impact. The article also presents the gravity of insecurity in Mayo-Belwa and other parts of the northern region and country as a whole, caused by Boko Haram and bandits commonly referred to as killer-herdsmen. As part of the discoveries, the farmers can no longer go to their farms to cultivate crops for fear of possible attacks while cultivating their farmlands. Finally, the article research contributes towards bridging gaps in the existing body of knowledge on the reality of insecurity in Nigeria.