Traditional Rulers Gold Mining and the Rise of Banditry in Zamfara State, Nigeria, 2015-2023

Zamfara State is one of the seven states in northwestern Nigeria. In recent years, the state has witnessed an increase in the wave of banditry. This has drawn the attention of scholars to begin to probe the linkage between illicit gold mining, traditional rulers, and rise of banditry in the State. Gold mining which is at the centre of the conflict, has long been a significant economic activity which has attracted both legal and illegal miners. Unfortunately, illicit gold mining has taken the centre stage and this portends grave danger for the state. One of the key players in this wave of criminality, are some traditional rulers, who ordinarily are supposed to be the custodians of peace in the State but have neglected those roles and have resorted to providing protection and support to the illegal miners in exchange for personal gains. The paper deploys the use of resource curse theory which postulates that the presence of minerals in an area could breed conflict. The study assumes that there is a deeper link between traditional rulers, illicit gold mining and banditry in Zamfara State. Using primary and secondary sources, the paper argues that the traditional institutions in Zamfara State have failed in their primary responsibilities in promoting peace and social harmony in the State which explains the rise of criminal activities in the State which has led to the wanton destruction of lives and properties. The paper concludes that the roadmap to peace in the region lies in the complete overhaul of the traditional institutions of the State. The objective being to draw their attention back to their responsibilities. The paper also recommends that appropriate sanctions should be meted on traditional rulers found complicit in fueling conflict in Zamfara State.