HERDSMEN CRISIS, KIDNAPPING, BANDITRY, PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This article considers the three-some scourge of herdsmen crisis, kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria, legal regime to address it and provisions to curb same. It also considers the effect these have on development and engagement of public interest litigation to assist the vulnerable in Nigeria. It recounts some verifiable instances of these security challenges across various states and communities in Nigeria. The work opines that development is only possible where the government plays its roles effectively to bring eloquent development to the peoples’ door-steps. The paper is of the opinion that public interest litigation targets some kind of pro bono services which is a legal intervention for citizens affected by insecurity by these three-some menace. It recommends that a way to move forward is by solving security challenges in Nigeria which would be by the government accelerating the pace of development. Development in this context consists of creating an economy with relevant social, economic and physical infrastructure for business operations and industrial growth, to provide gainful employment, high level of educational facilities, and medical care for the people.