The document traces the violence to a mix of factors: ethnic and religious tensions, land disputes, economic hardship, and porous borders with Niger Republic. It highlights how small-scale banditry has morphed into a sprawling network of crimes, including mass kidnappings, cattle rustling, and highway attacks. Stolen livestock and illegally mined gold are trafficked across state lines, financing further violence.
Bandits reportedly target schools, farmers, travelers, and traditional rulers in Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, and Niger states. The report also criticizes governance failures, citing poor security agency responses, corruption allegations, and political interference as aggravating factors.
To combat the crisis, the Senate urges an "integrated security system" combining military action, community engagement, and long-term development. It specifically recommends expanding the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to secure Nigeria’s borders with Niger Republic.
The report further links urban crime waves—like armed robberies and ‘one chance’ scams in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja—to broader national insecurity. It concludes that only "coordinated regional collaboration" can dismantle the networks profiting from violence.
