Herdsmen-farmers imbroglio and Nigeria state: Periscoping security implications in their migration to South-East

Abstract

The Fulani herdsmen migration from the northern region of the Nigeria to other regions like, the south-east had created a mix feeling among the people of the region because of the security implication of this migration, this practice sometimes lead to the grazing of their cattle on people’s farm lands and this in effect leads to the destruction of the farmers crops as well as attacking the farmers and the host community. This paper interrogated Herdsmen migration to South-East, its security implications and possible solution. Conflict Theory was adopted for the paper as its theoretical framework of analysis, while the method for data collection was anchored on secondary sources like; books, newspapers, journal articles, and internet source materials, among others. The reach findings on the reasons for the herdsmen migration to south-East implicated huge Economic loses and attacks from the Boko Haram insurgency on the herders, to avoid high tax payment on the cattle, to set their cattle free from being attacked by harmful insects, to be free from frequent droughts, desertification, rural banditry and cattle rustling, among others. These has given birth to series of attacks, killing, destruction of farmers crops, by the herdsmen against the rural farmers and the host communities in the south-east. Based on that, the paper suggests ranching as a solution, as it is a global best world practice. Moreover, cattle rearing are a private business. Thus, Government should institute adequate security outfit and Support Community based Conflict Resolution body in the region, among others.