Youth Violence And Governance Failure In Northern Nigeria: A Comparative Analysis Of Yan Daba In Kano And Yan Shilla In Adamawa State

• Rogers Roland Wazakari

  Post-Graduate Student, Department of Political Science, Bayero University Kano

  Author

• Prof. Kamilu Sani Fage

  Department of Political Science, Bayero University Kano

  Author

Youth violence remains a pressing socio-political challenge in Northern Nigeria, with gangs such as ’Yan Daba in Kano and Yan Shilla in Adamawa State contributing to insecurity, crime, and social disruption. Persistent governance failures, socioeconomic deprivation, political manipulation, and poor institutional responsiveness have created conditions that facilitate youth involvement in violent criminality. Despite repeated security interventions, the underlying drivers of these gangs remain unaddressed, necessitating a deeper examination of their causes, activities, and consequences. This study aimed to examine the relationship between governance failures and the rise of ’Yan Daba and Yan Shilla; and assess the impact of these gangs on public safety, economic activities, and social cohesion. A descriptive comparative research design was adopted, targeting 400 respondents, including youths, law enforcement officers, and community leaders. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews, and analyzed using crosstabulations, frequencies, percentages, and thematic content analysis to enable a robust comparative assessment. Findings revealed that harsh socio-economic conditions, family breakdown, political patronage, corruption, and drug abuse are the leading causes of youth gang activities. Both gangs engage in theft, terrorism, politically motivated thuggery, vandalization, and kidnapping, with ’Yan Daba exhibiting higher intensity and broader societal impact. Consequences include insecurity, crime, disruption of social and economic life, siege mentality, drug abuse, and human rights violations. The study recommends early youth socialization programs, productive engagement through vocational and employment initiatives, civic and value re-orientation campaigns, good governance and anti-corruption measures, and targeted rehabilitation and reintegration of gang members.

• Download PDF