Appraising the National Defense Policy on incessant Banditry attack in North Central: A Focus on Borgu Local Government area of Niger State

ABSTRACT : The Nigeria National Defense Policy (NDP) which emanates from the National Security Strategy, focuses on the preservation of the safety of Nigerian at home and abroad and the protection of the sovereignty of the country and the integrity of the assets. Contrary to the objectives, the policy seems to be ineffective assessing on the spate of violent conflicts, chaos, anarchy and disorderliness arising from the incessant banditry attacks in the northern parts of the country. This study concentrated on appraising the National Defense Policy on incessant banditry attack in North Central with focus on Borgu Local Government area, Niger State, within 2025-2026. The study assesses the major idea behind formulation of the National Defense Policy, and, consequences of incessant banditry attacks in Borgu local area, Niger state is meticulously discussed. The paper thereafter, try to measure the significance of the National Defense policy effort on incessant bandits attack in Borgu local government. Survey research design was adopted, data were generated through interview of key informants, focus group discussion and observation. Under the secondary method, data were collected through internet, journals, newspapers and other print materials relevant to the study. The study adopted ungoverned spaces theory, which explain areas where a country lacks control or presence become havens for criminal activity and threats to a country. Findings reveals that, recent banditry attacks have brought major setbacks on the education and economic status in Borgu local government area, as a result of the default in the National Defense Policy design, implementation and other factors attached. Based on this, the study recommends, the use of military expert personnels in policy design and implementation, review section policy on authority, policy geared on provision of military hardware, policy on human capital development and motivation should be adequately implement. Implementing these recommendations will guarantee success on combatting the incessant bandit attacks in Borgu local government and other affected regions in Nigeria.

KEYWORDS: National Defense Policy, Bandits and Incessant Banditry