Seasonal pattern of resource conflict between farmers and herdsmen in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

There is sparse literature on seasonal pattern of farmers and herdsmen conflict in Benue State, Nigeria despite numerous links between climate change and resource conflict. Thus, this study was designed to assess the seasonal occurrence of armed conflict in Benue State and analyze the monthly death casualties of armed conflict in Benue state from 2010-2019. Data were collected from secondary sources such as report of Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria watch data base and Newspapers. Data were presented in tables and analyzed using descriptive statistic such as range, mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation. Result shows that monthly occurrence of armed conflict ranged from 0-20 times with mean value of 4.92 and 98% coefficient of variation. March has the highest number (20) of armed conflict occurrence followed by April and, then July. October had zero (0) record of armed conflict from 2010-2019. Similarly, the monthly conflict death was higher in dry than rainy season. Monthly death ranged from 0-590 with mean value of 106 deaths and 95 % coefficient of variation. It was concluded that both the frequency and death casualties of resource conflict in Benue State have seasonal pattern and were more in dry than rainy season. Intensification of resolution mechanisms and ranching were recommended.