The Socioeconomic Impacts of Boko Haram Activities on the Host Community of Yankari Game Reserve, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the socioeconomic impacts of Boko Haram activities on the host community of Yankari Game Reserve, Bauchi State, Nigeria. Data for this study were gathered from primary and secondary sources. The data sought was on the level of socioeconomic activities before and after the emergence of Boko Haram, among others. However, in order to achieve the aim, 142, 40 and 327 of staff, tourists and host community members were respectively identified and successfully administered questionnaire copies. The responses obtained from the questionnaire were further analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. For the community, farming and rearing (86.4%) is the most important occupation in the community followed by trading, civil servant and others. In terms of buying and selling in the community, 90.3% of the respondents stressed that patronage level was very high before the emergence of Boko Haram but crumbled after the emergence of Boko Haram as alleged by 97.1% of the respondents. 65% of the respondents were of the opinion that since the emergence of Boko Haram, many of their youths have been relieved of their duties (jobs) in the game reserve and other places as a result of low patronage in the area while, 35% of the respondents believed that employment level in the community is still high even with the emergence of Boko Haram. The hypothesis was tested using bivariate regression analysis. F = 26.525, p<0.05 indicated that Boko Haram activities have significant influence on the local livelihood of adjoining community. It is recommended that the government should step up with their poverty alleviation programs especially in the northeastern part (Alkaleri L.G.A to be précised) of the nation because poverty and unemployment level are still relatively high in the area which can result to security uproar.