Enyigba-Izzi -Echalike-Ikwo Land Crisis and Implications for Societal Development

Abstract

In African modern states, boundary demarcations were artificially created during independence by the colonial imperialist. This was because the colonial imperialists who led Africans to the path of independence sat at the comfort of their offices and drew the map of Africa. While it could be said that our nationalists were only interested in freedom, their failure to clearly define inter-state borders has continued to challenge the security of their lives and property. This study focuses on Enyigba-Izzi and Echalike-Ikwo crisis and its implications for societal development in Nigeria. The study which was rooted on the human need theory used key informant interviews in collecting data from the field. The study found that the armed conflict has been recurrent and intermittent in the area from 1961 till 2021. It documents the multiple negative effects of the conflict in relations to the sustainable development of that environment. The study finally recommends multi-dimensional post conflict peacebuilding strategies that would bring peace and development to the area.