Abstract

The violent conflict between the pastoralists and farmers in almost all the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria particularly the North Central is a threat to peace, stability and national security. The study showed that the access to clean water, damage of farm yields, cattle rustling and search for grazing fields are factors leading to the bloodletting violence between the farmers and pastoralists. This study also signified that the movement of the nomadic pastoralists is just not to search for food and clean water but to increase livestock productivity levels. Benue State, Nigeria is the core of this study because it is has recorded the highest hit of the conflict having occurred in about 14 local governments in the state out of the 23 local governments and displacing about 81,132. The study indicated that the porous border has led to the proliferation of arms which are made available to pastoralists in the black market. The study adopted a qualitative design and relied majorly on secondary data such journals, textbooks, newspaper articles and government publications. Conflict theory was adopted to underpin the study. The study concluded that food security, life and properties will continue to be threatened until the conflict is resolved. Therefore, this study recommends that federal and state government should establish a ranch which is well guarded by the military providing amenities such as veterinary clinics, schools and good water system for the pastoralists. The study further recommends that the Federal Government of Nigeria should liaise with financial institutions in the creation of funds for the victims of the pastoralists-farmers conflict and the government should also create more awareness of Climate Change which is one of the factors leading to the Southward movements of the Pastoralist. The violent conflict between the pastoralists and farmers in almost all the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria particularly the North Central is a threat to peace, stability and national security. The study showed that the access to clean water, damage of farm yields, cattle rustling and search for grazing fields are factors leading to the bloodletting violence between the farmers and pastoralists. This study also signified that the movement of the nomadic pastoralists is just not to search for food and clean water but to increase livestock productivity levels. Benue State, Nigeria is the core of this study because it is has recorded the highest hit of the conflict having occurred in about 14 local governments in the state out of the 23 local governments and displacing about 81,132. The study indicated that the porous border has led to the proliferation of arms which are made available to pastoralists in the black market. The study adopted a qualitative design and relied majorly on secondary data such journals, textbooks, newspaper articles and government publications. Conflict theory was adopted to underpin the study. The study concluded that food security, life and properties will continue to be threatened until the conflict is resolved. Therefore, this study recommends that federal and state government should establish a ranch which is well guarded by the military providing amenities such as veterinary clinics, schools and good water system for the pastoralists. The study further recommends that the Federal Government of Nigeria should liaise with financial institutions in the creation of funds for the victims of the pastoralists-farmers conflict and the government should also create more awareness of Climate Change which is one of the factors leading to the Southward movements of the Pastoralist.