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Beyond Resource-Use Conflict in the Escalation of Fulani Herdsmen and Farmer Conflict in Nigeria
The Journal of Pan African Studies, 2019
This study agrees with previous studies in reference to the escalation of conflicts between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria, however, it also argues that it is beyond resource-use conflict, and that one should not use the lens of climate change as the causative factor to approach it. Therefore, in order to justify this position, this study analysed the underlying factors responsible for the escalation of conflicts that has generated several narratives; and calls for a diagnose of the root cause of this conflict to conclude that it should not be fixed in a narrow set of narratives, but rather in a way that incorporates the human needs of identity, recognition, understanding and protection.
This paper attempts to realistically denounce violence as a means of resolving differences among persons, groups and societies. This is because the undulating effect of the use of violence to project and defend inter – personal, inter – group and inter – societal whimpers is often a bazaar of bitter counts of losses. The acrimonious consequences of the persistent and seemingly increasing Fulani herdsmen – farmers feud on communities and economies in Nigeria is the basis for the non – violence campaign in this paper. Consequently, social reconciliation is projected as the most viable option for the restoration and sustenance of peace and cooperation between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Nigerian. Social reconciliation, therefore, becomes a potent foundation for the success of policies, resolutions and laws aimed at lasting peace between Fulani herdsmen and farmers. Social reconciliation is also projected in this paper, as the most effective way of resolving conflicts in general since each conflict involves a unique set of actors and circumstances that produce distinct possibilities for the trajectory of future conflict. Introduction Experiences and reports on media indicate episodes of severe internal conflicts in Nigeria, especially in recent times. These conflicts range from insurgency in the North East, militancy in the Niger Delta region to Fulani Herdsmen and Farmers' vendetta across the country. The Fulani herdsmen feud is the major point of focus here. Recently, there have been escalations of reported attacks by Fulani herdsmen who brutally kill natives of the invaded farming communities including women and children in various states across the country. The Fulani herdsmen armed with sophisticated weapons usually attack their target communities at the time they are most vulnerable such as midnight or on Sundays when they are in their churches, killing people indiscriminately, burning houses and looting properties. Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Nassarawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Katsina states have been the worst hit of late, having tasted the devastating attacks by the Fulani herdsmen with heavy toll in human lives and property and still counting their losses. Most worrisome is the brutality and impunity with which the assailants operate without regard for the law and the sanctity of life coupled with the inability of the Nigeria Police and even the military taskforce to defend the victims mercilessly slaughtered in their homeland (Falana, 2014). The conflict between the Fulani herdsmen and the farmers usually arise when the former invade community farmland with their cattle and let them graze unrestricted both on cultivated and uncultivated land thereby destroying valuable food and cash crops which are the mainstay of the host communities. When the communities try to resist them and request their exit, the Fulani herdsmen become violent and attack the community sometimes with the aid of hired mercenaries from the neighboring countries like Chad, Niger, Mali and Cameroon (Falana, 2014). In a similar manner, Okeke (2014) explained how the Fulani herdsmen and farmers conflicts arise thus:
This study examines the nexus between insecurity and identity conflict in Central Nigeria in the Fourth Republic from the standpoint of the incidence of Fulani herdsmen militancy. By means of qualitative descriptive analysis of secondary data, predicated on the theory of eco-survivalism, the study locates the roots and trajectories of Fulani militancy within the ambit of the existential realities of ecological, socioeconomic , civil, livelihood insecurities and identity politics in Central Nigeria. The study posits that the phenomenon of Fulani herdsmen militancy is an explicit illustration of the identity conflicts, which is fallout of the contradictions of socioeconomic relations among the various groups in Central Nigeria. The study observes that Fulani militancy has negated human security and resulted in dire humanitarian consequences that further complicate the security of the region. In view of its adverse impacts, complications and implications, it is the submission of the study that Fulani herdsmen militancy, a form of identity politics, constitutes a veritable threat to national security and the sustainability of Nigeria's Fourth Republic.
Herdsmen and Farmers Conflicts in North-Eastern Nigeria: Causes, Repercussions and Resolutions
Fulani herdsmen and farmers conflicts have remained the most predominately resource-use conflict in North-eastern Nigeria especially in Yobe State. The necessity to provide food of crops and animal origin, as well as raw materials for industry and export in order to meet ever-growing demands, has led to extensive use of land. The competition between these two agricultural land user-groups, however, has often times turned into serious concealed and unconcealed manifestation of hostilities and social friction in many parts of Yobe State. The conflicts have demonstrated high potential to exacerbate the insecurity and food crisis particularly in rural communities where most of the conflicts are localized, with reverberating repercussions nationwide. This study describes the traditional relationship between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the incessant resource conflicts witnessed in Yobe State and how it affects livelihood security of those involved and resource sustainability for the local communities. The study concluded that there is the need to identify the causes, repercussions and proffered resolution of the critical issues that are at the roots of the conflicts.
African Security Review 27(2): 129-143, 2018
This article explores the phenomenon of herdsmen militancy as a new trajectory for the farmer-herder crisis in Nigeria, with reference to its humanitarian implications. Relying on a systematic analysis of secondary data and aligning with the analytical anchorage of liberal political ecology theory, the article posits that herdsmen militancy depicts a contradiction in agrarian relations in the context of a national security crisis which has been complicated by salient socioecological factors such as climate change, armed violence, and identity politics. In view of the dire humanitarian consequences of this situation, the article submits that herdsmen militancy constitutes a major threat to human and national security in Nigeria. It makes a case for a pragmatic policy capable of mitigating the myriad socioecological factors that tend to trigger herdsmen militancy, with prohibition on open grazing in critical hotbeds of herder-farmer conflict as a strategic measure. KEYWORDS herdsmen; herdsmen militancy; humanitarian crisis; national security; political ecology
Herdsmen and Farmers Conflict in Nigeria: Another Dimension of Insecurity
2018
The objective of this paper is to understanding the rationale and how specific perennial conflicts between herdsmen and famers in Nigeria are being resolved before 2019 election in Nigeria to enable the people to resume normal life. In doing this we critically examined the perspectives of the disputants and the policy adopted by Federal and some State Governments to resolve it. The study collected data from both primary and secondary sources. And the technique of "content analysis" was used in analyzing the data. This study found that the conflicts created tension not only in areas where there was direct confrontation between the disputants but the conflicts terrorized every community and put them on alert to ensure that both short term and long solution was provided to return the State to a violent free community. Some State Governments made specific policies which include intergroup committees and or after due process of law making in a democratic society, presented open grazing prohibition and establishment of ranches laws to guide behaviors and the resolution of future conflicts that may arise between farmers and herdsmen in their respective States. Yet pocket of threats to life and property continued in some parts of the country to ensure the laws are not enforced and "cattle colonies" were established instead. This paper recommends that both parties to the dispute should continue to exercise restraints, and obey Government policy/law by using institutional approaches to resolve grievances. And a stop should be put to the destruction of life and properties.
New drivers of conflict in Nigeria: an analysis of the clashes between farmers and pastoralists
2020
In the last few years, several African countries have witnessed an increase in conflict between pastoralists and sedentary farmers and among pastoralist groups. While issues such as climate change, desertification, regional conflicts, population expansion, trafficking and terrorism have been highlighted as the reasons for the surge in violence, none of these issues fully explain the increased use of small and light weapons by several pastoralist groups and sedentary farmers. This article explores the changes in the dynamics of cattle ownership, termed neo-pastoralism, as a possible explanation for the increase in armed clashes between the groups. The article explains how traditional pastoralism is gradually giving way to neo-pastoralism, a form of pastoralism which involves larger herds and increased use of arms and ammunitions. Nigeria is used as a case study to explore these new patterns of conflict due to having the largest number of cattle in the sub-Saharan Africa region and the scale of the conflict in the country. This article is based on field research and interviews carried out in Nigeria between 2013 and 2019.
2018
The conflict between the Fulani herdsmen and Farmers in Nigeria is a long-aged rivalry. However, the occurrence of violent attacks by the Fulani herders against the farmers and farming communities has been so terrific in the recent time. This paper examines and outlines these incessant attacks and draws the implications. The paper argues that the attacks go beyond the usual conflict that is known between the two groups; that there are two different sects of Fulani herders in Nigeria: the armed and unarmed herders; that the armed-herders are the perpetrators of these violent attacks and they may be another form of an insurgent group in the country. This is because their violent attacks continue to threaten the life and security of Nigerians in and around the affected communities, and the food security of the country as a whole. Therefore, the paper suggests that open grazing should be abolished and the creation and use of ranches should be encouraged among herders in order to end th...
Herdsmen militancy and humanitarian crisis in Nigeria: A theoretical briefing
African Security Review, 2018
This article explores the phenomenon of herdsmen militancy as a new trajectory for the farmer-herder crisis in Nigeria, with reference to its humanitarian implications. Relying on a systematic analysis of secondary data and aligning with the analytical anchorage of liberal political ecology theory, the article posits that herdsmen militancy depicts a contradiction in agrarian relations in the context of a national security crisis which has been complicated by salient socioecological factors such as climate change, armed violence, and identity politics. In view of the dire humanitarian consequences of this situation, the article submits that herdsmen militancy constitutes a major threat to human and national security in Nigeria. It makes a case for a pragmatic policy capable of mitigating the myriad socioecological factors that tend to trigger herdsmen militancy, with prohibition on open grazing in critical hotbeds of herder-farmer conflict as a strategic measure.
CONTENDING PERSPECTIVES AND SECURITY IMPLICATIONS OF HERDSMEN ACTIVITIES IN NIGERIA
International Journal of Research - GRANTHAALAYAH, 2019
This paper submits that there exist multiple dimensions through which herdsmen attack in Nigeria could be perceived. Though traditionally seen as violence anchored on resource conflict, the attacks inhibit acts of terror and in some instances, religious extremism. Also, the word farming was substituted for the phrase “farming communities” because victims of herdsmen attacks are all not farmers. Importantly, this paper emphasizes the word “herdsmen” in place of the popular and ethnically charged phrase “Fulani- herdsmen” because, although predominantly of Fulani stock, not all herdsmen are ethnic Fulani. There is a perception that the rising state of these attacks is nothing other than a conspiracy by some influential forces within the country, and in the opinion of others the attacks embeds acts of criminality. This paper argues that beyond the perception of resource conflict, issues of terrorism, religious extremism, conspiracies and criminality are but new perspectives with which herdsmen attacks in Nigeria could be understood; and within these perspectives lie various security challenges that require multiple strategic solutions. The researchers consulted several secondary and tertiary sources, especially newspaper reports.