Herdsmen/Farmer Conflict, New Dimension Of Violent Conflict In Nigeria: The Case Of North Central Region 2014-2018

• Author(s): Adenyi Theophilus Okechukwu ; Nnamchi Kevin Chikwado ; Onyia Michael Chukwuka
• Paper ID: 1702146
• Page: 59-73
• Published Date: 06-04-2020
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 3 Issue 10 April-2020

Abstract

The Fulani herdsmen/ farmers conflict in the North Central Region and other parts of Nigeria has made violent conflict in the country to take another dimension. This study examined herdsmen/farmers conflict as a new dimension of the conflict in Nigeria with a study of the North Central Region. The specific objectives of the study were to discover the factor(s) triggering herdsmen attack in the North Central Region of Nigeria, find out the effects of farmers/herdsmen attack on socio-economic development and food production in the region and identify and recommend measures to end herdsmen/farmers conflict and waste of lives and properties of innocent people in the North Central `Region of Nigeria. The study adopted survey and documentary research method. Data was sourced through the use of primary and secondary sources of data collection. Data for the study were collected using 17 questionnaires items. Findings of the study revealed that the factors triggering herdsmen/farmers conflict in the region are competition for resources (grazing land), desertification, anti-open grazing law, andone-sided reporting by the media, lack of appreciable efforts by Federal Government to stop the attack, That the consequences of herdsman attack are; low agricultural output, loss of lives and properties, hunger and human insecurity. The study, therefore, recommends among others that the Government of Nigeria should embark on peace building through public enlightenment and education of the Fulani herdsmen modern method of grazing and also on the need to live in peace with their host communities. The government should tackle the problem of desertification and drought as this will make the Fulani Herdsmen to stay back in their territories in the North. The Nigerian press should ensure a balanced reporting of the herdsmen/farmers conflict as a means of de-escalating the conflict.

Keywords

Attack, Desertification, Conflict, Farmers/Herdsmen, Grazing

Citations

IRE Journals:
Adenyi Theophilus Okechukwu , Nnamchi Kevin Chikwado , Onyia Michael Chukwuka "Herdsmen/Farmer Conflict, New Dimension Of Violent Conflict In Nigeria: The Case Of North Central Region 2014-2018" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 3 Issue 10 2020 Page 59-73

IEEE:
Adenyi Theophilus Okechukwu , Nnamchi Kevin Chikwado , Onyia Michael Chukwuka "Herdsmen/Farmer Conflict, New Dimension Of Violent Conflict In Nigeria: The Case Of North Central Region 2014-2018" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 3(10)