THE MENACE OF HERDERS-FARMERS CONFLICT AND ITS IMPLICATION ON SUSTAINABLE SECURITY IN POST MILITARY ERA IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The violent conflicts between nomadic herders from northern Nigeria and sedentary agrarian communities in the central and southern zones have escalated in recent years and are spreading nationwide, threatening the country’s sustainable security. This research paper will examine the menace of herder-farmer conflict and its implication on sustainable security in Nigeria. The conflict has caused a lot of losses to Nigeria and to her security development. This study unveils the secrets behind such conflicts and gives ideas on the way to prevent and solve such in the future. Using qualitative research method and secondary data that are derived from journals, articles, newspaper and other important commentaries on contemporary herder-farmer conflict and sustainable security in Nigeria. The primary driver of the conflict can be lack of political will on the managers of Nigerian security to professionalize security (procedures, processes and qualification of movement, reposition, possession, and use of heavy and light weapons. management of and response to intelligence report; procedures of reprimanding offenders to the maintenance of security of lives and properties etc.) the result of the primary driver is the secondary driver destruction of farmlands. The security effects of the conflicts result to food insecurity, loss of lives and properties and loss of products in the storage, and poor development. This work suggests that to prevent herders-farmers clash, the government must professionalize and decentralize security and as well enhance conflict resolution mechanisms.