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HERDSMEN/FARMERS CONFLICT AND ITS EFFECTS ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

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 Journal of Peace, Security, and Development
Volume 4, No. 1, 2018. Pp.143-158.
ISSN: 2360-9435

HERDSMEN/FARMERS CONFLICT AND ITS EFFECTS ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

John Peter, Okoro

Department of Governance and Development Management
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
+2348039408192, +233559439327
Johnpet8192@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Increase in competition for limited resources has often times led to violent conflicts between herdsmen and
farmers in many parts of Nigeria. The conflict has in recent years taken more dangerous dimension as the
herdsmen now carry sophisticated ammunitions with which they kill and maim perceived opponents at will.
This study therefore examines the prevalence of herdsmen-farmers conflict and its effects on socioeconomic
development in Nigeria. The study is anchored on frustration aggression theory, and the theory dialectical-
materialism. The research adopts qualitative approach to data analysis which relies on secondary sources like
journals, textbooks, newspapers and online publications. Results show that the conflicts have resulted to loss
of lives, displacement, distrust, destruction of properties etc. The study concluded that the Herdsmen-farmers
conflict created food insecurity, distrust and unemployment. The study recommended that State governments
should designate grazing fields for the nomadic herdsmen and make them pay tax to the state.

Keywords: Herdsmen-farmers, conflicts, socioeconomic development, Nigeria

1.0 INTRODUCTION

It is a truism that conflict occurs whenever disagreements exist in a social situation over issues of
substance or whenever emotional antagonisms create frictions between individuals or groups (Okoro, 2018).
The issues of substance may include resources such as land, water, trees, crops, crude oil, diamond, gold,
reserves and rights – grazing rights, farming rights and hunting rights. However, most conflicts emanating
from the above itemized issues are called resource conflicts. Blench (1996) asserted that resource conflicts can
be classified into two, namely point resources including mines, farms and reserves and eco-zonal conflicts
including water, grazing and hunting rights. Resource conflict is not unusual and perhaps not unnatural in

1
human ecosystems. Conflict per se, is not bad: it is perhaps a necessity in the evolution and development of
human organizations. But when conflicts degenerate to violent and destructive clashes, they become not only
unhealthy but also counter-productive and progress-threatening. It is reported that 63 percent of total Sub-
Saharan population live in rural areas in contrast with EU population where 74 per cent of all her citizens live
in urban areas and 26 per cent in the countryside. The report further stressed that in overall, there are 854
Million people living in Sub-Saharan Africa, compared to 502 million in the European Union (global-
growing.org, 2018). However, majority of these population of Africans who live in the rural areas are usually
among the most vulnerable and insecure in terms of poverty, health, food security, and economic losses owing
to resource conflicts. This is because, the eyes of the central governments are usually far from them, and many
of their crisis are never reported. As Okoro, (2018) put it, struggle for survival and protection of economic
livelihood (including, farmlands, crops and cattle) appears to precipitate conflict between herdsmen and
farmers across many communities in Nigeria. And most times the attacks and counter attacks between these
vulnerable groups in the rural areas are precipitated by government inactions. The people take law into their
hands because they feel they are abandoned by the governments, and some of them even migrate to the urban
areas abandoning their farmlands, just to secure lives.
The Fulani cattle herdsmen have identified conflicts arising from land use as the “most important”
problem they face in their occupation (Van’tHooft, Millar & Django, 2005). During the peak of rainy season,
characterized by cattle-breeding, more milk production and shorter grazing hours, cattle herding coincides
significantly with arable crop production emanating in herdsmen-farmers conflict. The resultant increase in
competition for arable land has often times led to serious manifestation of hostilities and social friction among
the two user-groups in many parts of Nigeria. The conflicts have not only heightened the level of insecurity,
but have also demonstrated high potential to exacerbate the food crisis in Nigeria and other affected countries
due to loss of farmer lives, animals, crops and valuable properties (Cotula, Toulmin & Hesse, 2004).
This conflict is believed to have existed since the beginning of agriculture and either increased or
decreased in intensity or frequency depending on economic, environmental and other factors (Aliyu, 2015).
Idowu (2017) submits that the violence between herdsmen and farmers has displaced more than 100,000
people in Benue and Enugu States and left them under the care of relatives or in makeshift Internally Displaced
Persons (IDPs) camps while many are still struggling to rebuild their lives. The Global Terrorism Index (GTI)
recently placed the Nigeria’s Fulani herdsmen as the world's fourth deadliest militant group for having
accounted for about 1,229 deaths in 2014. Amnesty International (as published on New Telegraph) on January
29th 2018 asserted that Fulani Herdsmen have killed 168 people in January, 2018 alone. In their words, “The
Nigerian authorities’ response to communal violence is totally inadequate, too slow and ineffective, and in
some cases unlawful. Clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, Ondo and Kaduna
have resulted in 168 deaths in January 2018 alone. Hundreds of people lost their lives in 2017, and the
government is still not doing enough to protect communities from these violent clashes. For instance, 549
deaths were recorded across 14 states while thousands were displaced in 2017. These 549 deaths and thousands

2
that were displaced as a result of clashes between nomadic herdsmen and local farmers were recorded across
Enugu, Benue, Taraba, Zamfara, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Cross Rivers, Adamawa, Katsina,
Delta and Ekiti states, in 2017”.
However, before this time, Taiwo (2010) averred that armed conflict between herdsmen and their host
communities had been reported to have taken place in over 20 villages in Nigeria, including, Ago Nla, Ago
Kekere, Idi Ope Kekere, Olukore, Olokuta, Apena, Jaramosan, Akeeran, Alagigo, Aaaro, Temidire, Iya
Ibadan, Ideto, Apapa, Akele, Agwo, Bodija, Olufayo, Oko Teku, Moniya, Oke Ogun, Shaki, Egbedore. Ilobu,
Efon Alaye, Alu, and Iya moye. Also, the study carried out by Sulaiman and Ja’ afar to ascertain the economic
effects of this type of conflict in Bauchi state from 2003 to 2007 discovered that: Livestock that were lost
through the farmers-pastoralists conflict included 34 cattle and 11 sheep/goats, valued about 1.8 million Naira
and N66, 000.00 for cattle and sheep/goat, respectively. Six persons lost their lives during the period with
anticipated economic contribution valued at N2, 844,000.00. The number of persons injured in the farmer-
pastoralists conflict as revealed by the study was 45 among whom 15 persons were incapacitated that they
could not perform their economic activities during the period of treatment. The cost implication due to the
body injuries of those affected in this respect was about N2.64 million. In addition, a research carried out on
the causes and effects of the perennial clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria by Mercy Corps
between 2013 and 2016, funded by the British Department for International Development (DFID) reviewed
that the conflict is costing Nigeria at least $14 billion in potential revenues annually. Meanwhile, the usual
resultant effects of the conflict are loss of lives, crops, destruction of houses, displacement of persons, decline
in income, distrust; as well as threat to food and national security. It is against this backdrop that the study
draws you on the aforementioned issues to analyze the prevalence of herdsmen-farmers conflict and its effects
on socio-economic development in Nigeria. Specifically, the objectives of the research are to:
1. Ascertain the prevalence of Herdsmen-farmers conflict in Nigeria
2. Ascertain the courses of herdsmen-farmers conflict in Nigeria
3. Examine the effects of Herdsmen-farmers conflict on socio-economic development in Nigeria.
Following the above objectives, the research questions include:
1. How often is the herdsmen-farmers conflict occurring in Nigeria?
2. What are the courses of herdsmen-farmers conflict in Nigeria?
3. What are the effects of herdsmen-farmers conflict on socio-economic development in Nigeria?

2.0 CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATION

2.1 Herdsmen
The Fulani originated from the Senegambia before spreading out into about 20 states which cut across West
Africa and the Sahel as well as western Sudan and Central African Republic (McGregor, 2014). The people are
found in large number in Nigeria but while some have moved into the cities, many are still living as semi-
nomadic herders. However, these group who own and rear herds of animals like cattle for commercial

3
purposes are called Herdsmen. Fulani herdsmen or Fulani pastoralists are normadic or semi normadic herders
whose primary occupation is raising livestock (Iro 1994, p. 22). They usually move their herds from one place
to another in search of pasture and fresh water. It is predominantly the occupation of the Fulani ethnic group in
Nigeria. They are often armed and visibly move about with weapons (like daggars, matchets, arrows etc) to
protect their livestocks. The more disturbing issue about the Herdsmen is that they also block the highways
with their cattle, rob and kidnap people, keep them captives in the bush and demand for ransom. The
Herdsmen have also been involved in the rape of old and young women and burning of communities (The
Vanguard, 2015). Due to their violent nature and associated killings, the group was recently described as the
world's fourth deadliest militant group (GTI, 2015; Mikailu, 2016).
2.2 Farmers
Farmers (also called agriculturers) are persons who engage in agriculture, raising living organisms for food or
raw materials. The term therefore applies to people who do some combination of raising field crops, orchards,
vineyards, poultry, or other livestock. Based on this broad definition, farmers are both the herdsmen who herd
or keep livestock like cattle, goats and sheep, and crop farmers. However, for the purpose of this work, farmers
are the crop farmers (those who raise field crops) also called peasant farmers/subsistence cultivators only.
2.3 Herdsmen-Farmers Conflict
Herdsmen-Farmers conflict is as old as the existence of man. It started from the children (Cain and Abel) of
the first man (Adam). Abel was a shepherd and Cain was a farmer according to Bible’s account, however, Cain
killed Abel in the field out of jealousy. Okoro (2018) averred that herdsmen-farmer or harder-farmer conflicts
are conflicts occurring between peasant farmers or subsistence cultivators and nomadic or transhumant live-
stock keepers. According to Hagmann (2003), there exist differences between ‘herder-herder’ conflicts and
‘farmer-herder’ conflicts. He maintained that herder-herder conflicts are usually conflicts between nomadic or
transhumant livestock keepers that arise between receiving groups over their territory’s resources and
incoming groups searching for water and pastures, and cattle raiding. Herder-herder conflict is a conflict that
results from theft of cattle or other animals among the Fulani herdsmen. It is herdsmen rustling cattle of other
herdsmen, or when un-experienced herders entrust their animals in the care of experienced herders under
agreements, and when such agreements are breached conflict occasions within. The violent cattle raids among
pastoralists in East Africa are examples of herder-herder conflicts. Hussein, Sumberg, and Seddon, (1999) see
farmer-herder conflicts as comprising different types of conflicts, including ethnic conflicts, interest conflicts,
resource disputes, political action, evictions, killings, cattle raiding and cattle rustling.
2.4 Socio-economic Development
Socio-economic development is the relationship between economic activity and social life. It is the continuous
improvement in the well-being and in the standard of living of the people. It therefore, centers on poverty
reduction or reduction of suffering of the poor and increase their access to social services. It also requires
action to increase the poor’s ability to generate an income in order to meet their basic needs. The impacts of

4
socio-economic development are seen in changes in laws, changes in the physical environment, ecological
changes and changes in security situations of every society.
3.0 THEORETICAL UNDERPINNINGS
According to Le Meur and Hochet (2010), theorizing herdsmen-farmer conflicts remains very difficult, since
the actors, causes and dynamics are complex and varied. They believe that a combination of theories is needed
to explain vividly farmer-herder conflict escalation. This is why this study adopts a twofold-theoretical
perspective to discuss the issues in herdsmen-farmer relations and to allow for a more in-depth understanding
of the issues. Therefore, the study adopts Frustration-Aggression Theory and Dialectical-materialism Theory in
understanding the causes and escalations of the herdsmen-farmer conflicts in Nigeria.
3.1 Frustration Aggression Theory
Frustration–aggression theory also known as the ‘frustration–aggression–displacement theory’, is a theory of
aggression proposed by John Dollard, Neal Miller, Leonard Doob, OrvalMowrer and Robert Sears in 1939 and
further developed by Neal Miller in 1941and Leonard Berkowitz in 1961. The theory says that aggression is
the result of blocking, or frustrating, a person's efforts to attain a goal (Friedman Schustack, 2014). When first
formulated, the hypothesis stated that frustration always precedes aggression, and aggression is the sure
consequence of frustration. Two years later, however, Millerand Sears re-formulated the hypothesis to suggest
that while frustration creates a need to respond, some form of aggression is one possible outcome. Therefore,
the re-formulated hypothesis stated that while frustration prompts a behavior that may or may not be
aggressive, any aggressive behavior is the result of frustration, making frustration not sufficient, but a
necessary condition for aggression (Zillmann Dolf, 1979). It attempts to give an explanation as to the cause of
violence. Frustration is the “condition which exists when a goal-response suffers interference”, while
aggression is defined as “an act whose goal-response is injury to an organism (or an organism surrogate). The
theory says that frustration causes aggression, but when the source of the frustration cannot be challenged, the
aggression gets displaced onto an innocent target (scapegoat). This theory is also used to explain riots and
revolutions, which both are believed to be caused by poorer and more deprived sections of society who may
express their bottled up frustration and anger through violence (wordpress.com, 2012).

According to Olu-Adeyemi (2017), a number of other variables influence the use of violence as well, for
example the culture, the society, and the political environment. The culture must at least accept, if not approve,
violent action as a means to an end. Violence is also more likely if the current leadership and/or the socio-
economic/political system is seen as unresponsive. Olu-Adeyemi also asserted that the central theme of the
theory is that scarcity is the product of insufficient supply (impact of climate population explosion) or unequal
distribution of resource as a result of deprivation which ultimately leads to aggression. On the issue of
frustration, it means that one’s access to means of livelihood (farming or grazing as the case may be) is being
thwarted by another or possibly by particular circumstances and that one’s reaction to this thwarting is that of
annoyance. Olu- Adeyemi also added that, deprivation is not based on wants or needs alone, but on the wants
and needs that we feel we ought to have or deserve. More often than not, the Herdsmen are frustrated due to

5
desertification, thus, the reality is that they face forced migration and as they migrate, series of challenges are
encountered which in turn brings frustration. Similarly, farmers who have struggled to cultivate farmlands also
get frustrated whenever herds of cattle destroy their farmlands. The Fulani Herdsmen terror is a struggle over
values and claims to scarce resources in which their aims are to neutralize, injure or to eliminate the host
communities in a bid to fend for their animals. The violent activities of the Fulani Herdsmen occur because of
the accumulation of residual instigatory effects of frustration. The terrorist activities of the herdsmen are
traceable to the desertification that has caused depletion in grazing opportunities or scarcity of feed for their
animals which in the long-run affects their economic wellbeing. If a herdsmen losses his flock to drought and
water scarcity, he may be frustrated because of the loss of livelihood. From this reality, he may be aggressive
and since, he cannot channel it to the natural causes, he may in the long-run channel it to any person or group
that obstructs his migration to a safe area. On the side of farmers and host communities in Nigeria frustration
also occur whenever animals of the herdsmen trample on their farmlands to eat up their crops. And because
they are frustrated too, they become aggressive and channel their aggression to the herdsmen and their cows.
Owing to this reality, conflict and confrontation is inevitable.

3.2 Dialectical-materialism: This paper is also anchored on the theory of “dialectical-materialism”. The
theory of dialectical-materialism lies in the concept of the natural world evolution and emergence of new
qualities of being at new stages of evolution. Dialectical materialists postulate that man’s consciousness of
himself in the society is determined by material condition. Here, material condition refers to what one owns,
possesses or what one can advert to, in the society. Central in determining man’s material condition are the
way the society organizes the production, distribution and exchange of these goods and services that man
perceives as his possessions. The theoreticians observe that since these materials are limited, man’s aspiration
to possess them usually results into conflict with others seeking the same material. Dialectics is thus what the
theoreticians call the resultant of this competition, hence the term dialectical materialism. The dialectical
materialists are of the firm position that conflict will be inevitable in the absence of equity and justice
occasioned by limited resources. Meanwhile, to allay this vicious circle of dialectics in order to ensure
harmonious co-existence in the society, the theorists advocate that attempts must be made to ensure equity and
justice as sine qua non for progress or development (Shakhnazarov, 1978). However, the theory as expounded
here appropriately matches the situation obtainable in the herdsmen and farmers scenario in Nigeria. It is
therefore the perception of each group that the other is a threat to its material condition in the society that
eventually escalates into violent conflicts between them. Herdsmen sometimes accuse farmers of killing their
cattle, and resort in attacking or killing the farmers. The farmers on the other hand see herdsmen as land
encroachers and crop destroyers, and of course, make efforts to protect their properties (land and crops).
4.0 RESEAARCH METHODOLOGY
The research employs qualitative method, making use of secondary data. The data were sourced from journals,
textbooks, online daily newspapers and other online publications. The data collection focused on published

6
incidences of herdsmen-farmers conflicts in Nigeria between January 2016 and June 2018. However,
descriptive method of data analysis was used, as the data were analyzed and presented using tables and charts.
5.0 DATA ANALYSIS
Table 1: Herdsmen-Farmers Conflicts in Nigeria between January 2016 and June 2018.
S/ Date Attack & Location Immediate cause (s) Casualties/ Degree of
N Destruction
2016
1 January 6 UdeniRuwa, Nasarawa Destruction of farm crops 38 people killed and many
state wounded.
2 January 17 Gareji village in Taraba 3 people killed
State
3 January 23 Demsare, Wunamokoh, 60 people including a police
Dikajam and Taboungo of DPO killed and properties
Adamawa State destroyed.
4 February 2 Agatu, Benue State Reprisal attack 7 people killed, the community
thrown into mourning.
5 February 7 Tombu in Buruku LGA, Class between the two parties 10 persons were killed and the
Benue State community was raided.
6 February Abbi, Enugu State 2 persons killed and some
11 were declared missing
7 February,2 A village in Agatu, 50 deaths recorded
3 Benue State.
8 February Agatu, Benue State Reprisal attack against the 500 persons were killed and
24 & 28 killing of a prominent Fulani wounded. Others were
man by the people of Agatu in displaced.
2013
9 March 2 Ossissa, Ndokwa, Delta 4 persons killed, some
State wounded, and residents forced
to flee their homes as houses
were destroyed.
10 March 7,8, Mbaya-Tombo, Benue Dispute and destruction of Over 35 persons died and
13 & 17 state farm crops properties were destroyed.
11 March 26 Ugwunesi in Awgu LGA, Reprisal attack 2 Soldiers, 18 others Killed.
Enugu State Thousands displaced and more
than 1000 homesteads
destroyed.
12 April, 25, Nimbo (Nimbo Ngwoko, 48 deaths recorded, Ten
Ugwuijoro, Ekwuru, residential houses and a
Ebor, Enugu Nimbo, church were also burnt in
Umuome and addition to vehicles,
Ugwuachara) villages in motorcycles and domestic
Uzo-Uwani LGA. animals
13 April 3-7 Ohali-Elu, Rivers State Clash with communities 16 people were killed.
14 April 9 Ilado, Ondo State Hon. Olu Falae, former SGF, Herdsmen attacked and killed
was attacked by herdsmen and the security guard of Chief
they killed his security guard Falae.

15 April, 10 Dori and Mesuma 15 person killed, razing of

villages, Gashaka Local houses
Government, Taraba
State

7
16 April 10 Angai, Dashole, Dori and Farm land dispute Between 15 and 44 people
Mesuwa villages of were killed.
Taraba State
17 April 20 Agatu, Benue State Policemen attacked Some persons were injured
and a policeman was declared
missing.
18 April 25 NdiaguAttakwu, Nkanu- Herdsmen entered the heart of 8 persons were murdered,
West LGA, Enugu State the community and a woman including a catholic church
sounded a gong, after which seminarian and a pregnant
the cows scattered: the woman whose stomach was
herdsmen gathered the herds cut open. Also houses were
and left, only to return in the destroyed,
night and raided the village.

19 May 2 Benue state 39 killed

20 May 6 Coromo, Dan- Anacha The killings were allegedly Reports say the herdsmen
and Mutum Biyu over a land dispute between burnt 13 houses, killed 12
communities, Gassol the herdsmen and the Tivs people and left 80 others
LGA of Taraba. seriously injured.
21 May 14 Illah community in Fulani nomads tried rapping Fulani nomads beheaded a
Oshimili North Local the woman and was later woman and left two others
Government Area of beheaded as she resisted with sever machete wounds.
Delta State
22 May 15 Tarfi village, Binnev 12 persons were reportedly
Ward, in Buruku local killed, many seriously injured,
government area, Benue many missing
State
23 June 25 Koh community in Girei A Fulani herder trespassed to a 8 persons killed
Local Government Area farmland and the owner raised
of Adamawa State alarm, causing the herder to
leave and to reappear with his
kinsmen who confronted the
farmers.
24 June 17 Logo local government 10 persons and scores of
farmers displaced
area of Benue State
25 June 19 Ossissa community, The victim unknowingly 1 person was killed
Ndokwa East Local passed through a hideout
Government Area, Delta where the herdsmen were
State holding hostage, an abducted
lawyer and other kidnaped
victims when he was short.
26 July 11 Tse-Adayol in Logo local 81
government area.
Benuel State
27 July 12 Gbagyi communities in At least 11 persons have died
Boss local government
after a clash between
area of Niger State
suspected Fulani Herdsmen
and

8
28 July 25 Tse-Adayol in Logo local Grazing rights 10 person killed, 1 missing
government area.
and 2 injured
Benuel State
29 August 1- Golkofa in Jema’a 20 persons killed
3, 13 LGA, Adamawa state
30 August 25 Ndiagu Attakwu Akegbe 1 person killed. A seminarian,
community in Nkanu and 5 others were injured
West LGA
31 Sept. 24– Godogodo, Kaduna, 8 persons slaughtered and
26 wounded 8 others
32 Oct. 15 Godogodo, Kaduna, At least 40 persons were killed
in the attack and many houses
burnt
33 December SabonGidan village of Attack and reprisal 20 feared killed many missing
17 Dan Anacha town, and properties destroyed
Taraba State.
34 November Nimbo Community of Reprisal attack 8 people were massacred (7
25 Uzo-Uwani LGA, Enugu men and 1 woman)
state
2017
35 January 9 Abraka and Obiaruku, No fewer than 5 persons were
both in Ethiope East and killed.
Ukwuani LGAs, Delta
State
36 January 16 Rafin Gona and Gbagyi 9 killed, including a police
villages in Bosso LGA, Inspector and an ASP of the
Niger State. Nigeria Security and Civil
Defence Corps at least 6,000
persons displaced
37 January 17 Zango-Kataf Local Herdsmen opened fire in 3 persons were killed and five
Council of Kaduna State Samaru Kataf market injured.
38 January 24 Ipiga village in Ohimini Grazed cattle and destroyed 15 persons were killed. A
LGA, Benue State farmlands bloody fight that took the lives
of two of the herdsmen and
about 13 of the villagers.
39 January 24 Jema’a LGA, Kaduna Commercial car taking 5 students of the College of
State students to school from Education, GidanWaya were
Kafanchan was waylaid by shot dead.
alleged herdsmen
40 February RukumawaTsafe LGA, Clash between community 8 people were confirmed dead.
10 Zamfara State members and suspected
herdsmen
41 February Southern Kaduna, Fulani herdsmen launched About 21 people were killed.
21 Kaduna State attacks on four communities
42 March 2 Mbahimin community, Renewed hostilities between No fewer than 10 persons were
Gwer East LGA, Benue herdsmen and farmers in killed.
State Mbahimin community
43 March 6 Omumu community, Ika Clash between suspected 6 persons died.
South LGA, Delta State. herdsmen and residents of
Omumu community
44 March 8 Tse Akaa, Mba'abaji and MACBAN Gololo, said that 15 farmers killed

9
 Tse Orlalu all in Ugondo fight erupted between the
Mbanar District of Logo, herders and villagers because
Benue State some Tiv speaking youths
constituted hindrance to the
cattle breeders who were only
minding their business
45 March 11 Tiv community, in 10 people were killed.
Buruku LGA, Benue
State
46 March 14 Umuobasikwu, Ozuitem Clash between herdsmen and 1 person was killed and
community in Bende the people of Umuobasikwu several others injured
LGA, Abia State
47 March 20 Zaki Biam in Benue state Grazing Right Dispute 50 persons were killed
48 March 27 Adam Village, Kwande Herdsmen attacked farmers 1 killed, 1 injured, women
LGA, Benue State raped in their farms.
49 March 28 Emuhu community in Ika Attack by suspected herdsmen 3 persons were killed while six
South LGA, Delta State others sustained injuries.
50 April 1 Obio Usiere in Eniong Raid a community killed no fewer than 10
Abatim, Odukpani LGA, persons
Cross River State
51 May 5 Ussa and Takum Clash between farmers and 15 people dead, many
Council areas of herdsmen sustained injuries
Taraba State
52 May 8 Tse-Akaa village, Clash with herdsmen 3 persons were killed.
Ugondo Mbamar District
of Logo LGA, Benue
State
53 May 12 Ossissa community in Farmers who worked with Suspected herdsmen beheaded
Ndokwa East LGA, Delta Ugo Farm were ambushed on a commercial motorcycle rider
State their way home and six farmers
54 May 13 Logo LGA of Benue 8 people were killed
State
55 May 18 AfamUku, Oyigbo LGA, Herdsmen attack 2 persons lost their lives.
Rivers State
56 May 22 Ewu community, Esan Herdsmen entered farmland 2 people were killed and 1 was
Central LGA, Edo State raped two women and wounded. Crops were
strangled them to death destroyed and lots of persons
sacked from their farmlands.
57 July 20 Kajuru village of Kaduna, Reprisal attacks 33 killed, Fulani properties
destroyed
58 Sept. 09 Ancha village, Bassa Reprisal attack after a boy 19 persons were killed
LGA, Plateau state from the herding community
was killed.

59 Oct. 16 Nkiedonwhro village, No fewer than 29 people

Bassa LGA, Plateau State mostly women and children
were killed

10
60 Oct. 27 Irigwe kingdom, Bassa No fewer than 75 people were
Local Government Area killed, 23 others, injured,
of Plateau State. about 13,726 persons
displaced and 489 houses
burnt
61 Oct. 30 Yendi Attack and reprisal attack 3 persons are feared dead

62 Nov.3 Tombo ward, Gaambe- Grazing law reactions 1 killed, 1 injured

tiev in Logo LGA, Benue
State
63 November Kikan, Kwadomti and A reprisal attack. 52 herdsmen 52 Fulani Herdsmen were
21 Shefaran Villages of killed killed
Numan LGA Adamawa
State
64 December, Five villages in Herdsmen avenged 86 people lost their lives and
4 Adamawa state the killing of 51 of their properties destroyed
members in Kikan
65 December, Minda, Lau LGA of Herdsmen grazed on farmer’s 4 people killed, farm lands
28 Taraba State guinea corn farm, and he destroyed
complained
66 December Gaambe-Tiev, Ayilamo Fulani herdsmen invaded the 50 persons including nine
31 and Turan communities communities members of the Benue State
all in Logo LGA Benue Livestock Guards have been
state killed
2018
67 January 1 Guma and Logo local Reaction to the Benue state 73 Farmers killed while
governments of Benue anti-grazing law dozens of people were injured
state and still in hospital
68 Jan. 23 Ardo Kola, Adamawa Gunmen kill family of 9
69 Jan. 24 Bokkos, Plateau State Herdsmen kill 7 persons
70 Jan. 31 Birnin Gwari, Kaduna Herdsmen KILL 9 Persons
71 Feb. 2 Song, Adamawa 10 persons killed
72 Feb. 5 Herdsmen attack Gov 2 persons killed
Ortom Farmhouse
73 Feb. 6 Obi, Nasarawa state 8 persons killed
74 Feb. 8 Shellen, Adamawa state Communal clash 6 persons killed
75 Feb. 10 Benue state Herdsmen ambush and kill 2 Herdsmen ambush and kill 2
police officers police officers
76 Feb. 10 Bassa, Plateau 3 persons killed
77 Feb. 11 Jema’a, Kaduna 4 persons killed
78 Feb. 12 in Guma, Benue Herdsmen attacked civil 2 civil defence officers killed
defense officers
79 Feb. 26 Kajuru, Kaduna state Worship center torched and 12
persons killed

80 Feb. 27 Demsa, Adamawa state 20 persons killed

81 March 3 Sardauna LGA of Taraba Herdsmen were attacked 15 persons lost their lives
state
82 March 5 OmosuOkana villages in Herdsmen reprised attack 24 persons Killed, many
Okpokwu LGA in Benue wounded, and many missing
State
83 March 8 Nzharuvo Village in Herdsmen attacked the village 5 persons killed
Bassa Local Government

11
 Area of Plateau State.
84 March 12 Enyanwu Igwe Village in Herdsmen attacked villagers 4 persons killed, economic
Igbeagu Community, Izzi for no known reason trees and other properties
LGA Ebonyi State worth

85 March 14 Ogane-Enugu and Ikende The herdsmen invaded the 25 persons killed, several
communities in Dekina communities when everyone houses burnt
LGA of Kogi State has slept
86 March 19 Agbenema in Herdsmen Invaded the 19 killed, houses burnt
Opada/Ofejiji Ward, community
Omala LGA Kogi State

87 April, 12 Jandeikyula village in 25 persons killed, property

Wukari L G A of Taraba worth hundreds of millions of
State naira destroyed millions of
naira destroyed
88 April 14 Several communities 32 Tiv villagers killed, many
& 16 across Nasarawa state displaced
89 April 24 St. Ignatius Quasi Parish Herdsmen attacked Church 2 catholic priests and 17 other
Ukpor-Mbalom in Ayar- worshipers killed. Over 100
Mbalom community, houses burnt down, and people
Gwer East LGA of Benue displaced.
state
90 April, 28 Onocha-Olona, Aniocha - Minor disagreement over 2 persons killed in Aniocha-
North LGA, and Ubulu- destruction of crops by Olona, and 6 persons seriously
Uku, Aniocha South herdsmen’s cattle injured in Ubulu-Uku
LGA, Delta State
91 May, 25 Yorro LGA of Taraba Reprisal attacks 5 killed
State
92 June 4 Dinya Village, Gassol Land resource 4 farmers killed
LGA, Taraba State
93 June 5 Mararaba Udege and Agatu man shot a Fulani on 3 SARS operatives and 8
Aisa and Aguma his foot and seized his farmers were killed by the
Communiyies, Nasarawa motorcycle, his fellow herdsmen
State mobilized and reprised
94 June 6 Tse Shan, Tse Nyamkyume 9 persons killed, over 45
in Saghev, Guma LGA and houses set ablaze and several
Tse Ngo Jov Tombo Logo persons missing
LGA
95 June, 21 & Riyom, Barikin Ladi Decades-long history of 218 persons killed, 5 Fulani
23-25 Plateau state. violence competition for land herders inclusive. 50 houses,
resource. 15 motorbikes, and two
vehicles burned.
Source: Author’s compilation from reportages of various online mass media and the work of Oli, Ibekwe,
&Nwankwo, (2018)

6.0 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

6.1 How often is the Herdsmen-Farmers Conflict Occurring in Nigeria?

12
Table 1 shows the herdsmen-farmers conflicts in Nigeria between January 2016 and June 2018. The table
indicates that at least, herdsmen-farmers conflict occurred 95 times within two and half years (January 2016 to
June 2018). It is important to state that since this research is solely based on online reportages of the conflicts,
it is unarguable that all the incidences reported by various media online that fall within the data frame cannot
be sourced at once (as the researcher only picked the ones google made available to him). For instance, some
data especially for the months of June and August of 2017 were not found. In addition, Amnesty International
(as published on New Telegraph, 2018, January 29) maintained that Fulani Herdsmen killed 168 people in
January, 2018 alone, which is in contrast with the findings (see table 2). However, it is clear from the table 1
above that herdsmen-farmers conflict is prevalent in Nigeria. This is because the conflict occurs 3.2 times per
month (95/30 = 3.1667), where 95 is for the number of times it occurred between January 2016 and June 2018
(see table 1), and 30 is for number of months between the January 2016 and June 2018. The table also shows
that, the conflict occurred 10 times in February alone this year. The implication here is that, Nigeria as a nation
will continue to lose her human and financial resources which is very deleterious to the overall national
development, if the conflict is not contained.

6.2 What Are the Courses of Herdsmen-Farmers Conflict In Nigeria?

From the table 1 above, it can be observed that they are many causes of the herdsmen-farmers conflict in
Nigeria. These causes include (1) revenge or reprisal attacks, for example, the conflict that resulted to the
killing of 86 persons on 4th December, 2017 in Adamawa State was as a result of herdsmen’s reprisal attack to
avenge the killing of 51 members of their community. Also, the attack on 9th September, 2017 which saw to
the death of 19 persons was a reprisal attack after a boy from the herding community was killed at Ancha
village in Plateau State. (2) Disputes over destruction of farmlands and crops: the serial attacks on March 7,
8, 13 & 17 at Mbaya-Tombo in Benue state where over 35 persons died were precipitated by the destruction of
farmers’ farmlands and crops. (3) Grazing rights dispute: 50 persons were killed on March, 20th 2017 when
the people of Zaki Biam in Benue State clashed with the herdsmen over the grazing space where Fulani
herdsmen claimed belong to them and was not allowed to access it. (4) Decades – long history of violence
competition for land resource: as shows by table 1, the June 4, 2018 attack at Dinya Village, Gassol LGA,
Taraba State where 4 farmers were killed and that of June, 21 & 23-25 at Riyom, Barikin Ladi Plateau State
where 218 persons were killed, including 5 Fulani herders occurred as a result of long term dispute of land
resources between the herders and the farmers. (5) Reactions to Anti-Grazing law in Benue State: the anti-
open grazing law adopted by the government of Benue State received open condemnation from the Miyetti
Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), which threatened to frustrate any move to enforce the law.
According to Governor Ortom, the attack of 1st January 2018 at Guma and Logo local governments of the state
where 73 Farmers were killed was as the manifestation of the MACBAN’s threat. The governor maintained
that he saw the attack coming as he wrote to the IGP concerning the MACBAN threat to attack the state, but
the IGP nor other security agents responded. He concluded that the refusal of the security agencies to act and

13
their lackadaisical attitude on the matter led to the mayhem of January 1 and also vowed to continue with the
anti-open grazing law (pulse.ng, 2018, Jan. 10). (6) Cattle rustling: table 1 also shows that some of the attacks
were triggered by cattle rustling from some bandits, and sometimes, the cattle are stolen or harmed by some
community youths. When this occurs, the herdsmen vest their frustrations on anybody they spot around. (7)
Violence habit: from the table 1 above, it is clear that herdsmen equally attack their victims without any
known provocation. The herdsmen have a habit of sending their cattle to cultivated farmlands, which destroy
crops that are source of livelihood to the farmers. Any attempt to stop them from feeding their cattle on
farmers’ crops results in killing, raping and destruction of farmland as well as sacking of whole communities.
For instance, 4 farmers were killed and farmlands destroyed when a farmer complained to the herdsmen of
grazing on the farmer’s guinea corn farm at Minda, Lau LGA of Taraba State (see table 1). Relatively, the
killing at Enyanwu Igwe Village in Igbeagu Community, Izzi LGA Ebonyi State where 4 persons lost their
lives surprised the community members, as they wondered why such attack greeted them without any previous
misunderstanding with the herdsmen. On June 25th 2016, it was reported that a Fulani herder trespassed to a
farmland at Koh community in Girei LGA of Adamawa State and the owner raised alarm, causing the herder to
leave and to reappear with his kinsmen who confronted the farmers, killing 8 persons (see table 1)

6.3 What are the Effects of Herdsmen-Farmers Conflict on Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria?
The deadly conflicts between herdsmen and crop farmers have become one of the major insecurity problems in
Nigeria – only second to Boko Haram imperil (Okoro, 2018). The violent conflict between the two groups
have been manifesting in form of bloody clashes (attacks and counter attacks). These bloody attacks and
counter attacks have created social or relational implications and economic adverse effects such as:
6.3.1 Loss of Human Lives: Most of these clashes between the herdsmen and farmers have resulted to
humanitarian catastrophe precipitating human loss. For instance, in the work of Oli, Ibekwe, and Nwankwo,
(2018), the Tiv people in Guma, Gwer-West, Makurdi and other towns at the border with Taraba state have
recorded about 458 deaths and over 350 communities have been sacked and are now living in IDP camps.
However, table 2 and figure 1 represent the total number of death tolls based on the secondary data analysed
with table 1. The death casualties per month per year have been carefully extracted and presented below:
Table 2: Number of Death Casualties Resulted from Herdsmen-Farmers Conflict from January 2016 to June
2018
Year
Month 2016 2017 2018 Total

January 101 37 98
February 569 29 78
March 37 96 92
April 132 10 83
May 64 37 5
June 19 234
July 102 33

14
 August 21
September 8 19
October 40 107
November 8 53
December 20 140 2,272
Total 1,121 561 590
Source: Researcher’s Fieldwork 2018

Number of death casualties by herdsmen-farmers conflict from January

2016 to June 2018
1200 1121
1150
1100
1050
1000
950
900
850
800
750
700
650 569 590
600 561
550
500
450
400
350
300 234
250
200 140
150 101 98
100
78 9692 132 83 64 102 107
37 37 37 19 33 21 40 53
50 29 10 5 8 19 8 20
0

2016 2017 2018

Figure 1: showing death casualties as a result of Herdsmen-Farmers Conflict from Jan.2016 to June 2018.
Source: the Author’2018

From the figure 1 above, it can be deduced that herdsmen-farmers conflict resulted to the death of one
thousand one hundred and twenty one (1,121), five hundred and sixty one (561), and five hundred and ninety
(590) persons in 2016, 2017 and January to June 2018 respectively. These give total of two thousand, two
hundred and seventy two (2,272) deaths within the thirty (30) months. We have 365 days in a year, and two
and half years can be calculated as 365 + 365 + 182.5 = 912.5 days. Furthermore, 2,272 deaths divided by
912.5days = 2.5 number of deaths per day. Meaning that, at least, 2 Nigerians die every day owing to
herdsmen-farmers conflict. From the figure 1 above, we can identify an outlier where the death toll rose to 569
in February, 2016 alone.

No wonder, a report compiled by SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based intelligence consulting firm, shows that
pastoral conflicts accounted for more deaths than Boko Haram in 2016. SBM Intelligence data covers incidents
and casualty counts for Nigeria’s biggest security challenges 2016: the Boko Haram insurgency, pastoral

15
conflicts involving Fulani herdsmen and cattle rustling as well as a resumption of militancy in the oil-rich
Niger Delta region. The figures are represented with the chat below:

Figure 2: showing death toll as a result of Herdsmen-Farmer Conflict. Source: Data SBM Intelligence, 2016

6.3.2 Displacement of Persons: Reports of internally displacement of persons abounds. Displacement occurs
when herdsmen and farmers clash. Host farmers especially women who stayed behind stop going to distant
farms for fear of attack by nomads in the bush. Such displaced farmers have become liabilities to other farmers
whom they have to beg for food for themselves and their families. This therefore has created a vicious cycle of
poverty in such communities. Ofem and Inyang (2014) observed that herdsmen-farmers conflict has not only
resulted to internal displacement of herdsmen and farmers in Yakurr, Cross River State, especially women; but
also led to reduction in income/savings and crops output. The Benue State Emergency Management Agency,
SEMA (as published on Premium Times news online on January, 2018) says it has registered about 80,000
Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, across four camps located in Guma and Logo local government areas of
the state. There are indications that as at March 1, 2018 no fewer than 80,450 children are currently trapped in
eight Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs camps established by the Benue state government to cater for victims
of herdsmen incursions in the state. According to official figures obtained from the State Emergency
Management Agency, SEMA, in March 2018, of the said figure 47,353 are male while 39,909 are female
children (vanguardngr.com, 2018).
6.3.3 Destruction of Houses: Clashes between herdsmen and farmers are also not leaving houses untouched in
most affected communities across Nigeria. For instance, the killing of Nimbo indigenes in Uzo-Uwani LGA of
Enugu State where 40 deaths were recorded, also saw to the destruction of ten residential houses, a church, in
addition to vehicles, motorcycles and domestic animals. In Dekina LGA of Kogi State, several houses were
burnt down on March 14th 2018 when an Ogane-Enugu and Ikende community was invaded by herdsmen (see
table 1).
6.3.4 Destruction of Farmlands and Crops: It is factual to say that most clashes between herdsmen and
farmers were triggered as a result of frustrations from farmers whose farmlands and crops were destroyed by

16
herders. According to Ofuoku and Isife (2009), more than 40 million worth of crops are usually lost annually
due to invasion of cattle in the South-South region of Nigeria, especially Delta and Edo States. This has
created an impediment to the survival of the host communities as many crop-farmers have abandoned their
farm lands to avoid suffering in vain or being killed. Aliyu (2015) argued that the conflict has continued to
lead to destruction or loss of properties and crops in Katsina State leaving an already endangered populace
even poorer. The food security welfare of urban dwellers especially residents of Calabar that depend on these
farmers for food supply has been negatively affected since the incessant clashes in Yakurr, which is
predominantly a farming community and prices of available food supply skyrocketed (Ofem & Inyang, 2014).
In Oyo State, as Adelakun, Adurogbangba and Akinbile (2015) put it, farmers were worst hit by the conflicts
as it affects their farming and has led to reduction in farm output, loss of properties and scarcity of food.
6.3.5 Distrust: the conflict has created distrust between the two groups – farmers now see herdsmen as
intruders and vice versa. According to Burton (2016) majority of the members of the expanse Fulani ethnic
group are solely pastoralists without connection to militant violence. Even these peaceful ones, however, are
largely viewed with suspicion and anger by the sedentary communities on whose land they take their cattle,
largely as a result of the actions of the violent group. And because many of these herdsmen do not understand
the languages of their host communities, will always get provoked or frustrated at any movement or action of
anybody within the community pointing at them, all because of the existence of distrust. This has altered the
mutual relationship that has existed between the Fulani and most of their host communities. Furthermore, most
members of the affected communities now see government and security agencies in bad light, as they feel that
government is not doing enough to protect them, and therefore take laws into their hands in form of self-
defense.
6.3.6 Unemployment: In terms of employment, agricultural sector has been leading in economic activities, as
it accounts for one-third of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It remains the leading employment sector of
the vast majority of the Nigerian population as it employs two-third of the labor force (Bola, 2007). In the view
of Olatunji (2002), in Nigeria today, farming still remains the sources of employment of majority of the adult
population, its productivity is the most important single factor influencing the standard of living of both the
rural and urban centers. About 90% of the rural population is involved in activities related to the crop sub-
sector which provides the bulk of agricultural income. However, the current herdsmen-farmers imbroglio has
continued to deny many farmers access to their farmlands – many community members deserting their
farmlands and already cultivated crops in fear of being attacked by the herdsmen. Many have abandoned their
farming activities which are their means of livelihood and relocated to other places, while some have been
displaced and conformed in some IDPs camps. The above submission proved that the conflict has resulted to
massive unemployment.
6.3.7 Threat to National Security: according to Olakiitan (2016), “the failure of government to address the
situation of herdsmen attacks decisively has several implications for Nigeria. The fact that herdsmen now carry
sophisticated ammunition with which they kill and maim perceived opponents at will constitutes grave danger

17
to national security. This is because security personnel including the police have not been able to withstand
weapon-wielding herdsmen’s boldness and firepower”. The herdsmen have sacked whole communities,
abducted elder statesmen, burnt churches, killed church priests and other worshipers, killed Police officers,
raped, looted and perpetrated heinous crimes while the government has done less to arrest the situation, which
is a serious threat to national security.
6.3.8 Threat to Food Security: herdsmen-farmers conflict is an impediment to food security. The
displacement of farmers from the affected communities, has drastically reduced agricultural production. This
has been amply demonstrated by relative shortage of farm produce in the rural and urban markets of central
Nigeria (Chukwuma, 2016). This is evidenced in the tremendous price hike of food commodities across the
county.
6.0 Conclusion
Fulani herdsmen and farmers violent conflicts have created humanitarian toll across many communities in
Nigeria. Many have died, many displaced and properties in form of crops, animals, houses, vehicles etc.
destroyed. Farmers, though, have occasionally been involved in carrying attacks or reprisal attacks against the
Fulani herdsmen, have been seen to be mostly at the receiving end of the conflicts. They count more losses
than the herdsmen. However, the research concludes that herdsmen-farmers conflict is prevalent in Nigeria,
and that it occurs 3.2 times per month, while at least 2 Nigerians die daily owing to the conflict. The causes of
the conflict include: revenge or reprisal attacks, disputes over destruction of farmlands and crops, Grazing
rights dispute, decades – long history of violence competition for land resource, reactions to Anti-Grazing law
in Benue State, Cattle rustling, and violence habit of the herdsmen. The socio-economic effects of the conflict
are: Loss of Human lives, displacement of persons, destruction of houses, destruction of farmlands and crops,
distrust, unemployment, threat to National security, and threat to food security in Nigeria. Government and
security institutions are yet to be responsive in solving the dangerous imbroglio, which in turn precipitated
break of law and order, as many Nigerians now take law into their hands – defending themselves and
protecting their properties against perceived enemies.
7.0 RECOMMENDATION

The following recommendations are made:

1. Federal government should engage peace and conflict resolution experts in dealing with issues concerning
herdsmen-farmer crises. This will enable effective dialogues, negotiations and of course a win-win
resolution, while encouraging early warning mechanism.
2. Government should adopt community policing model to forestall peace in the rural areas as it will enable
the police and the community members detect when the herdsmen gain access into the communities to
attack residents. Community policing seeks the effective community engagement in the provision of
solution to policing issues and also developing partnership in the maintenance of safety and security in the
society.

18
3. Governments at all levels should promulgate legislations outlawing open grazing of cattle while
encouraging herders to establish ranches for their cattle.
4. State governments should designate some areas as grazing fields for the nomadic herdsmen and make
them pay tax to the state, whilst warning that any crime involving a Fulani herdsman would attract severe
penalties. All Fulani herdsmen operating in any local government should be registered to enable
monitoring of their activities and co-existence.

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