Insecurity and Rural Poverty: Analysing the Relationship between Persistent Insecurity, Agricultural Disruptions, and Rural Poverty in Chikun LGA

This research examines how insecurity impacts specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, Nigeria, with a focus on poverty alleviation (SDG 1), hunger eradication (SDG 2), and the promotion of peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16). Employing a mixed-methods design, the study integrated survey questionnaires distributed to 400 households alongside Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). Quantitative data were processed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and cross-tabulations, while qualitative discussions provided detailed insights into the experiences of affected households. The results indicate that insecurity—manifesting through banditry, kidnappings, and conflicts between farmers and herders—has significantly disrupted agricultural practices, led to household displacements, and hindered access to livelihoods, thereby aggravating rural poverty. Women and youth were particularly impacted, facing heightened vulnerabilities in their livelihoods, increasing food insecurity, and restricted access to socio-economic opportunities. Chi-square analyses revealed substantial relationships between displacement status and livelihood activities, underscoring the impact of insecurity on altering rural economic conditions. FGDs revealed coping mechanisms, including dependence on casual labour, community support, and migration; however, these strategies mainly were unsustainable. The research concludes that insecurity hampers advancement towards the SDGs in Chikun LGA by deteriorating food systems, intensifying poverty, and weakening local institutions. It suggests implementing community-based resilience strategies, fortifying peacebuilding efforts, increasing security presence, and providing targeted livelihood assistance—especially for women and youth—to restore stability and progress toward fulfilling the SDGs in conflict-affected communities.