MIGRATION, IDENTITY AND THE CHALLENGE OF BANDITRY IN NIGERIA: A NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE POLICIES

Abstract

Various studies in contemporary Nigeria and Africa have frequently highlighted the challenge of the emerging train and the raise of banditry in Nigeria, as well as the overall inadequacy of the policy makers to come up with formidable policies that will check the activities of migration into or outside the country. These structural and institutional shortcomings mostly stem from the porous border-policies of the country, which frequently allows people of criminal tendencies into the country. Migration as one can see forms part of the necessary strategies of allocating global human resources to their highest value. Though benefits and costs of national or cross-border human movement are best conceived differently for distinct affected relevant entities, the fact that some migrants may engage in acts generally classified as "banditry," where it is associated with migration, the consequences may not only be deleterious but also profoundly damaging to the very purpose of why migration is warranted and legitimately sealed as a global practice, unless the phenomenon is properly appraised and policies formulated and sustained to ameliorate and prevent it, and consequently rid it. The study examines the boundary marking policies and procedures of Nigeria, the historical context of migration in Nigeria, the linkages between migration and banditry, the challenges and limitations of the existing policies in Nigeria and recommendation for policy makers in Nigeria This study has worldwide significance on the challenges faced by bandits living on the environs where they are seen as immigrant societies, who are completely posing security traits to the peace, cultural and economic heritage of the indigenes. The study also makes important contributions to discussions on immigrant integration, global dialogues on border demarcations and exclusions, socio-religious and peace building.