THE CRISIS BETWEEN HERDSMEN AND FARMERS; A CASE STUDY OF BENUE STATE

ABSTRACT

Nigeria has experienced and is still experiencing conflicts of grave proportions among several ethnic and religious communities across the states. This study examined the crises between farmers and herders in Benue state from 2015 – 2017 and to suggest ways of averting its occurrences first and foremost and secondly on how to care for the victims of the crises, aimed at helping to build trust between Farmers and Herdsmen and to suggest ways in which they can co-exist in a symbiotic relationship. Simple random sampling with proportionate representation was used to determine sample size (28) from the population. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection and this was supplemented with interview of key informants. Data was represented using frequency tables and percentages. Results showed that the causes of the herders and farmers crises in Benue state include but not limited to theft of cattle; disregard to traditional authority; indiscriminate bush burning; over-grazing of fallow land and  harassment of nomads by host youths. In conclusion, the prevalence of the farmers/herders conflicts in Benue state is high. It was recommended that the security agencies should ensure that only trained personnel are allowed to participate in the fight against the Fulani menace for effectiveness and professionalism.