INTRODUCTION:

Insecurity in the context of herdsmen and farmers relationships in Nigeria dates back to when in the first instance Fulani people began to feel insecure in their place of origin and began the search for solution outside their place of origin. Secondary, insecurity arose amongst the non-Fulani farming communities when the Fulanis arrived in their community and engaged in activities that point to attempt to dislodge the local communities. Culturally, Fulani herdsmen are known livestock breeders and in pre-colonial times, their place of origin was the Sahel Semi-arid areas of Futa-Jalon Mountain in West Africa. But as a result of threat from climatic changes and population growth made the herdsmen to move to the Savannah and tropical forest regions of Southern West Africa and far Northern Nigeria.

The immigration into far Northern Nigeria dates back to the 13^th and 14^th centuries Ahmed-Gamgun (2018). Consequently, differences in climatic conditions and changes thereof in the North, propelled herdsmen to move across regions especially from the North to the Central and Southern Nigeria to access better grazing resources in order to secure quality food security for their herds. This usually takes place during crop cultivations season. While driving cattle across regions, sometimes the destruction of crops occur and becomes a source of conflict between farmers who claim customary right over land and herdsmen who are regarded as strangers.

The increasing movement from one place in the eyes of the modern law amounted to trespass and encroachment of the properties of others. Nevertheless they co-existed and from time to time, whenever issue arises traditional rulers come in to adjudicate to ensure that whoever was found guilty paid compensation.

According to Atuma (2018, He claimed that terrorist have hijacked the conflict. Before now, the Fulani herdsmen were regarded as the most peaceful partners to their host communities, their only red line being the protection of their cows. These terrorists are part of the Al-Qaeda based in Afghanistan. Two arrested suspects confessed to the Plateau State Commissioner of Police Undie Adie how they connived with some herdsmen to rustle the cows, sheep and kill a seven year old boy. (Daily Sun, 2018).

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK:

Frustration Aggression Theory is the most suitable theoretical framework for this study, which was developed in 1939 by John Dollard and his team of research associates. This means that where expectation does not tally (meet) attainment, there is then the tendency for people (including Ethnic Nationalities) to confront those they hold responsible for frustrating their ambitions.

The central theme of the frustration-aggression theory is that aggression is not just restricted exclusively to a natural reaction or instinct as the realist and the biological school assumed, but much more importantly, the theory emphasizes the outcome of the situation where the legitimate desire of an individual is denied either directly or indirect consequent upon the way the society is structured.

This can be related to the feeling of the Fulani herdsmen that they are denied access to land for the grazing of their cattle by the farmers and by this, violence ensued which is claiming lives and destruction of properties.

CAUSES OF THE CRISIS:

Since the fourth Nigerian Republic found in 1999, farmer-herdsmen violence has killed thousands of people and displaced tens of thousands more. Some of the causes are:

(1) The trend in the increase is due to an expansion of agriculturist population and cultivated land at the expense of pasture lands, deteriorating environmental conditions desertification and soil degradation. (Wikipedia, 2018)

(2) Breakdown in traditional conflict resolution mechanism of the land. When conflicts occur, tension is raised and to resolve the conflict, farm owners reported the cases of conflict to their traditional rulers and the police. And where the herdsmen are confirmed to be responsible for the destruction of crops are fined to pay compensation. This became too rampant that the farmers refused compensation and ordered the Fulani herdsmen to take their cattle away from their farm lands (Ugwu, 2017)

(3) Activities of the herdsmen in the name of promoting their nomadic culture of pasturing but more worrisome is the new dimension of bearing sophisticated weapons of war to terrorize farmers either as a result of lack of attention or they deliberately allow their cattle to stray and trample on the crops and forcefully eat up farm crops of farmers, they also contaminate streams which serve as sources of water for human consumption. Hence, this leads to outbreak of disease in the community. It is also reported that they have taken kidnapping and arm robbery activities on the highways. (Ingawa, Ega, and Ehabor 1999)

(4) The proliferation and misuse of fire arms in Nigeria are the leading contributors to the escalation of the culture of violence and militarization of the herdsmen\farmers crisis. According to Putak (2010) the proliferation and misuse of fire arms is a worldwide progressively complex and multi faceted phenomenon that affects the people worldwide. Small arms are probably responsible for most of the deaths in current conflict; hence, Annan (2004) opined strongly that the search should begin now.

(5) Antagonistic perceptions and belief among farmers and herdsmen could compound conflict situation, especially due to failing institutions and fierce competition for resources. (Bello, 2013)

(6) Tenuche and Ifatimehin (2009) in their study, observed that there is no resource sustainability in Nigeria. Because of this, there is difficulty for a majority of its citizens who require land for farming and grazing to have access to land.

Ofem and Bassey (2014) assert that there are recurrent clashes of interest between the host farming communities and the nomadic cattle herders. They identified the causes of conflicts in the Cross River State. As destruction of crops, contamination of streams by cattle, disregard for traditional authority, over-grazing of fallow land, sexual harassment of women by nomads, harassment of nomads by host youths, indiscriminate defecation on roads, theft of cattle, stray cattle, and indiscriminate bush burning.

Effects of The Herdsmen and Farmer Conflict on Urban Cities in Nigeria

The prevailing activities of the Fulani herdsmen had over the years led to killing, maiming, raping of people and destruction of their farms and this had resulted to the migration from the rural to the urban cities in the country. Some of the outstanding effects of the migration of the farmers and the rural dwellers to the cities for the protection of their lives from Fulani-herdsmen are as followed

1. Unemployment:

The rural migrants left tier villages to seek protection in the cities leaving every source of their livelihood in their respective rural communities. Majority of the migrants are farmers who abandoned all their economic productive resources in their various communities. And in the cities, where many people are already competing for the far jobs, it becomes very difficult to accommodate everyone into jobs, thereby leaving a large percentage unemployed. This was also led to the poverty rate in the country in general.

2. Increase in Crime rate:

The activities of the herdsmen has led to increase of crime rate in the urban cities. The coming to the cities is populating the already unpopulated areas where sources of livelihood are scare-or limited. In attempt to secure a living, they involve themselves in different dubious activity. Some have taken to robbery, kidnapping etc. this has led to a kind of lawless following the wide ratio gab between security personnel that ensure the law and order and the people.

3. Waste Management Problems:

Urban waste management is a major challenge in Nigeria municipal solid waste include househood, garbage, commercial refuse, construction and demolition debris, dead animals and abandoned vehicles (Cointreau, 1982). The majority of substances composing municipal solid waste include paper, vegetable matter, plastics, metals, textiles, rubber and glass. The activities of the herdsmen that led to the overpopulation of the urban lives have also contributed to waste management problems in the cities in Nigeria. The drains and water way are blocked with refuse while the streets are littered with pieces of papers, empty packs of sachet water, leaves used for wrapping food, cellophane etc. This has led to hindrance to the effective solid waste management.

4. Food Shortage and High Prices of Commodities:

Following the migration of rural to the urban cities the urban cities now have more mouth to be fed without corresponding increase in food production as the farmers in the rural have evacuated their dwelling for the fear of being attacked by the herdsmen. Hunger has stepped in, every individual has access to smaller quantity of food. This causes high prices for food. The cost and prices which raise the cost of living of the people will automatically brings the standard of living low. This cause high prices for food.

5. New Viral Diseases (Health Issue):

According to Agudo K.C., due to the population growth of the urban likes, coupled with the unhygienic practices, disease-carrying organism can diffuse and spread faster in the areas. Diseases that may spread due to overpopulation are cholera – contracted from infected water supplies, the flu (influenza) – is an extremely contagious respiratory illness by the influenza A or B viruses, Ebola – Known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever in humans and offer primates and the zika virus inter. The chances of spread of infections is quite higher in the urban cities.

6. Pollution:

Pollution is harmful contamination of nature resource which is harmful to human health. Air, water, land etc). the rural migrants have added to the pollution problems in the urban cities as there are increase of human activities e.g more release of sewage water etc.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE CRISIS:

(1) The various measures adopted by some state government to achieve peaceful coexistence and continuous development of their respective states are:

(2) Jigawa State:

Here, the Governor of Jigawa State, then Sule Lamido provided a permanent grazing reserve and water pumping windmills at the well-thought strategic locations (Zayyad, 2004).

(3) Benue State:

In July, 2017, the Benue State Government enacted the Benue State anti-open grazing law and fixed its implementation with effect from 1^st November, 2017. Reacting to this development, some Fulani opposed the anti-open grazing law while some supported.

(4) Bayelsa State:

The State’s search for peace forced Governor Seriake Dickson to allocate the state-owned palm estate at Elebele, spanning about 1,200 hectares of land for grazing; this, the Ijaw kinsmen highly opposed.

(5) Ekiti State:

In this State, the state Governor Fayose enacted an anti-open grazing law and called on the state’s hunters not to allow herdsmen and appealed to the Federal Government to declare rampaging herdsmen as terrorists. (Ojomoyela, 2018)

(6) Plateau State:

This is one of the states that have suffered several herdsmen and farmers conflict which transformed into reprisal attacks (Bonkat 2008). The Government of Plateau State has tried to solve this problem by setting up Judicial Commission of Inquiry into conflicts, declared state of emergency.

(7) Taraba State:

The Government has also enacted the open grazing prohibition law to introduce ranching practice in Taraba State.

(8) Niger State:

The Governor provided 21 grazing reserves for the herders to graze their animals.

(9) Kogi State:

In Kogi State, though the Government has said that Kogi is home to herdsmen and called on the people to integrate herdsmen in traditional Council in the State and Local Government levels of Government for effective decision making.

Administratively, the State and Federal Government are regarded as weak because they failed to protect the inhabitant remote towns and villages from invaders. Most often, the immediate protection is self protection when there are rumors of likely attacks and normal daily business is halted. (Ibrahim, 2018).

CONCLUSION:

In recent time, the activities of the herdsmen have sent fears, tension, sleeplessness and shock that led to the loss of lives and properties of the rural dwellers. The pastoralists engage in raping women, abducting and killing farmers. They attack villages and towns in large numbers at night when the people are sleeping and made away valuables. And to eradicate the crisis between the farmers and the herdsmen, there must be a disconnect in their contact with the farmer land by the development of ranches and grazing areas which is the best practice of rearing cattle in the modern time. This has been successfully done in India, Ethiopia, and Brazil etc.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

(1) The establishment of ranches:

The grazing of animal on cattle trails in the 21^st century is antiquated. The focus now should be on modernization of cattle rearing which maximizes various benefits in terms of job creation, food scarcity and eventually will end the herdsmen/farmers contact (conflict). The owners of the cattle should acquire some hectares of land for ranching. Cattle business cannot be a national issue and should be left in the hands of the private individuals that embark on the business.

(2) Orientation /Education:

The cattle owners should give orientation to change their mindset over the traditional method of rearing cattle towards the modern techniques. This will ensure adequate milk collection and security against rustlers to enable them live a normal life. And the nomadic herdsmen should be trained on development of ranches which is the global best practice of rearing cattle. This will enable them to be economic better off.

(3) Disarmed of herdsmen:

The army and police should locate them and take those sophisticated arms from them. They carry AK47s on the necks, some are tied around the bellies of the cows. And there should be government prohibition of the carrying of such arms.

(4) Proper policing of Nigeria boarders:

The boarders of Nigeria are very porous and should be fortified towards off the infiltration of the terrorists and the proliferation of fire arms into the country

(5) Proper organization of the intelligence unit:

The government should strengthen the security machinery of the country and more emphasis should be place on the intelligence unit of forces.

(6) The government can assist the cattle owners by providing grants for the purchase of land for the ranches just as the farmers will also be assisted. This will boost the agricultural development in Nigeria.

(7) Both the farmers and herdsmen should stop making hate speeches because hate speeches ignite anger and destroy national unity. Those found guilty of these offence should be sanctioned accordingly.

(8) The numbers of security service should be increased to meet up to the challenges of insecurity in the country and state police should be given a considerate attention by government.

(9) The government should concentrate on the development of the rural areas by providing the necessary and needed infrastructure which will make live meaningful. This will attract people from the urban cities to the rural areas.

REFERENCES:

1. Agudo K. C. (2018). Four Effects of Overpopulation and Their Possible Solutions

2. Ahmed-Gamgum, A. (2018). Herdsmen and farmers conflict in Nigeria: Another Dimension of Insecurity, Journal of Public Administration and Social Welfare Research, Vol. 3, No 1, 2018, ISSN 2504-3597 www.iiardpub.org.

3. Ajayi, A.R. and Allagenyi. L. D (2001). Organizational Factors in Sustainable Extension Service Delivery in Nigeria, Benue Journal of Agricultural Extension, Vol. 5.

4. Aluma, C. (2018). Fulani Herdsmen and Farmer Clash,

5. http://sunnews online.com/Fulani-herdsmen assessed 28/06/2018

6. Anna, A. (2004). The United Nation Small Arms Survey, Available at www.smallarmssurvey.org.sept.17th Retrieved July 4^th 2012.

7. Bello, A.U. (2013). Herdsmen and Farmers Conflict in Northern Eastern Nigeria: Causes, Repercussion and Resolutions”, Malaysia University Putra

8. Bonkat, L. (2008). Effects of Conflict Escalation: The Conflict in the Southern Local Government Area. In Ahmed Gamgun, Herdsmen and Farmers Conflict in Nigeria: Another Dimension of Insecurity. Willieconsult2002@yahoo.com

9. Cointreau S.J (1982). “Environmental Management of Urban Solid Wastes in Developing Countries: A project Guide, Urban Development Dept, World Bank: http:///www. worldbank.Org/htm/fph/urban//solid-mir/techpape5.pdf.

10. Daily Sun (2018). Cattle Rustlers, Daily Sun, Thursday, February 1, 2018

11. Dollard, J. (1939). Frustration and Aggression: US. Yale University Press

12. Ibrahim, L. (2018). Ex-Minister Blames Gov. Ortom for Benue Killings.

13. www.peoplesdaily.com/ex-ministerblames-govt-ortom forbenuekilling Accessed 09/01/2018.

14. Ingawa. S.A, Ega, L.A and Erhabor P.O (1999). Farmer-Pastoralist Conflict in Core-State of the National Fadama Project, FACU, Abuja.

15. Ofem O.O. and Bassey (2014). Livelihood and Conflict Dimension Among Crop Farmers and Fulani Herdsmen in Yakuri Region of Cross River State Mediterranean Journal of Social Science, MCSER Publishing, Rome-Italy.

16. Ojomoyela. R. (2018). Don’t Allow Herdsmen kill our People Fayose Charges Hunters, http:www.vanguardngr.com/2018/01

17. Putak A. (2004). Small Arms and Light Weapons: A Resource Guide for Religion for Peace. http://www.religionforpeace.org/initiative/violenceconlict/disarmerment

18. Tenuche M.S and Ifatimehin O. (2009). Resource Conflict Among Farmers and Fulani Herdsmen: Implication for Resource Sustainability. Africa Journal of Political Science and International Relations, Vol. 3(9).

19. Ugwu E. (2017). Tension in Abia Community as Herdsmen Insists on Choosing Grazing Areas. https://www.thisday.com/index.php/2017/09/23

20. Wikipedia (2018). Herder-Farmer Conflicts in Nigeria.

21. https://enwikipedia.org/wiki/herder-farmer-conflictinnigeria

22. Zayyad I.M. (2014). Farmer-Herdsmen Conflict. The Jigawa Solution. Pointblanknews.com/…/farmers-herdesmen,com

23. Nwodo, N (2017). Fulani Herdsmen Destroy Farms, Rape Wives, the Vanguard. (News/Comments). Nigeria Vanguard Media Ltd.

Received on 12.02.2019 Modified on 17.04.2019

Int. J. Rev. and Res. Social Sci. 2019; 7(4):709-713.

DOI: 10.5958/2454-2687.2019.00043.1