Migration and Security Challenges in Zamfara State Nigeria, 20 11-2020

Abstract

 The current challenge in Zamfara State poses a serious threat not only to the internal security of Zamfara State, but to the National Security of Nigeria. Migration has changed the concept and practice of security, and the rules of human interactions. Its threats or perceived threats have made nations, states, individuals and governments to formulate policies and strategies to regulate and control the way people move across their borders. The main objective of the work is to assess the security situation in Zamfara State inter-facing it with migration. Documentary method of data collection was adopted and content analysis, while Frustration-Aggression theory was used as framework of analysis. Some of the causes of the present security situation in Zamfara State include changes in land ownership, encroachment and sales of grazing land to farmers and environmental factor, the herders, on the other hand, perceive themselves to be victims of political marginalization, lacking a voice within the Nigerian state system. A large number of innocent Fulanis and bandits have been killed and, in most cases, their properties confiscated, criminality perceived as perpetrated by Fulani migrants, increased after renewed violence in post 2011 elections. Over five hundred and thirty-five (535) people have been kidnapped and over 15,000 cattle and other livestock also rustled by bandits. An estimated 4,983 women were widowed, 25,050 children orphaned, and 190,340 others internally displaced.