Title: The Evolution And Development Of Yan Kalare : A Study Of Street Gangs In Gombe State, Nigeria
Authors: IBRAHIM IBN MOHAMMED,ZULLIHATU UMARU, ITYOUGH SAAKUMA, AMON RIMAMTANUNG STEPHEN
Volume: 10
Issue: 7
Pages: 276-281
Publication Date: 2026/07/28
Abstract:
Gombe State, like the rest of Nigeria, is home to large numbers of unemployed young men who have little opportunity for legitimate employment or socio-economic advancement, in Gombe some of these youth have formed loosely organized criminal gangs and turned to violent crime to make a living. Residents of Gombe generally refer to the members of these gangs collectively as Kalare or "Kalare Boys." The Kalare boys have proven easy prey for politicians who offer them small amounts of money, drugs, alcohol, and weapons in exchange for engaging in acts of intimidation and assault during campaigns. The authors relied on content analysis that is secondary method of Data analysis to carry out this researched. And findings revealed that Kalare Boys are involved in so many political thuggry and criminal act such as abduction of rivals, stuffing of ballot boxes, chasing and intimidating of voters during and after election in Gombe state. This paper recommended that Risk factors-Preventing gang recruitment can be achieved by addressing the risk factors that make young people vulnerable to joining gangs. The risk factors are inequality and social exclusion