Criminal entrepreneurs and the security crisis in African Sahel

Abstract

Criminal entrepreneurs have been ignored as sources of insecurity in Sahelian states. This study is designed to fill the gap in knowledge and literature by explaining how the activities of criminal entrepreneurs are fueling insecurity in Sahel. It is grounded in Routine Activity Theory (RAT). The documentary research design, which relies on a thorough search and review of existing secondary data, is adopted in this study. These data were qualitatively presented and analysed thematically. The study revealed that criminal entrepreneurs who coordinate and benefit from criminal activities, as manifested in banditry, cattle rustling, crude oil theft, bunkering, kidnapping, money laundering, cybercrime, and drug trafficking, are central to the insecurity in the Sahel region. The study concludes that strong political will is required to contain these crimes since their perpetrators have strong links with politically exposed persons. It is therefore important for stakeholders to pay more attention to the elimination of criminal entrepreneurs. The study therefore recommends that the criminal justice system in the Sahel should be strengthened in a manner that deters potential criminal entrepreneurs. Moreso, there should be an aggressive drive for job creation across the region for the teeming population