Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi

INSECURITY AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN TARABA, NIGERIA

Ikwuba, Agnes A., Bai-Tachia Margaret & Dankano Edwe

Abstract

Insecurity incidences such as Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping for ransom, farmers/herders' crises, cattle rustling, ethnic crises, amongst others have grown worst in Southern Taraba. This has resulted to mass suffering and killings among the people with the government unable to arrest the situation. With government unsuccessful efforts, it is therefore desirable to assess insecurity coping strategies adopted by people of Southern Taraba amidst heightened insecurity. Specifically, the study assessed the nature of insecurity experienced by the people and investigated the coping strategies adopted to contend with insecurity. The study adopted rational choice theory. A sample of 400 respondents were drawn from a population of 1,071,500 people across Southern Taraba using cluster, purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Instruments for data collection were questionnaire and key informant interview. Quantitative data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics whereas qualitative data was analysed in content form. Findings revealed the nature of insecurity experienced in Southern Taraba to include kidnapping, indigene/settler crises, religious violence, activities of “area boys”, ethnic clashes. Findings identified insecurity coping strategies adopted by the people of Southern Taraba to include self-defense, use of community youths to defend territory, being vigilant at all times, avoid going to distant farms, community patrol. The study recommends that, the federal, state and local governments should collaborate and beef-up security in Southern Taraba to checkmate the activities of kidnappers, area boys, and instigators of religious/ethnic violence, amongst others.

DOWNLOAD COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE (CLICK)