HERDSMEN/FARMERS CONFLICT: THE LEGAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD

Abstract

Herdsmen are owners/keepers of domesticated animals (cattle, sheep etc) while farmers are farm owners / managers who peacefully cohabit with neighbours and unlike the herdsmen who are nomadic livestock farmers. However, the recent violent conflicts between herdsmen and the larger society is a new phenomenon in the West Africa sub-region and Nigeria in particular. This triggered this study following the persistently vehement and traverse dimension of arms now employed and the socio-economic impact of these conflicts on Nigerian people. This study finds the causes of conflicts include: Innate nomadic attitudinal traits; political class struggles for economic pursuits and effects of change in climate being environment devastation through human unsustainable practices while pursuing his desires and government complacency.  Consequently; the way forward includes: change in attitude; government being more proactive by reinforcing extant regulations, reviewing/ abolishing the National Grazing Reserve Bill, 2016 to suit all stakeholders. However, the challenges remain: climate change effects; forced migration for pasture resources; herdsmen innate nomadic nature;  environmental devastation solutions outwitting Science; loss of social values; the un-pragmatic strategies employed in conflicts resolution; Government’s  complacency; indiscriminate bush burning; traverse arms and impunity employed in destruction of lives and properties without sanctions etc. This study recommends government pro-activeness; enforcement of relevant extant laws; establishment of ranches than colonies under leases / outright land purchases; more impunitive sanctions; greening policy and the abolition / review of the National Grazing Reserve Bill, 2016 etc.