Economic Effects of Fulani Herdsmen-Farmers Clashes in Nigeria

Science Arena Publications Specialty Journal of Politics and Law Available online at www.sciarena.com 2017, Vol, 2 (1): 1-11 Economic Effects of Fulani Herdsmen-Farmers Clashes in Nigeria Eme Okechukwu Innocent1, Ugwu Christian1, Richard A. Onuigbo2 1Department of Public Administration & Local Government, Division of General Studies University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Email: [email protected], [email protected] 2Department of Political Science Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu Email: [email protected] Abstract: The objective of this paper is to examine the economic cost of Fulani-Farmers Clashes on the populace in general and the nation’s economy in particular. This is because insecurity and its various multifaceted manifestations like bombings, cattle rustling, farmland destruction, kidnapping/hostage taking, destruction of life and property, creation of fear among others has become a hydra headed monster which security agents in Nigeria appear incapable of addressing. Bloody clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers over grazing lands have led to the killing or maiming of people and razing down of houses as well as food storage facilities. The herdsmen claimed that they are the original owners of the land in the agrarian areas. According to them, the natives had sold it to them for their cows to graze. This is an allegation the farmers have consistently debunked, saying that the land was never at any instance sold to the herdsmen and that the cows damage their crops while grazing. Cattle-rustling has also been a major cause of unrest as cows are stolen by criminal-minded youths. This scenario has played out many times in Guma, Makurdi, Gwer West, Agatu, Logo, Kwande, Buruku and parts of Kastina-Ala local government areas of Benue State. The same is common in Enugu, Delta, Taraba and Plateau states. This paper takes a look the economic effects of these conflicts by identifying the remote causes and possible solutions to the challenge. The theory of Human needs served as our framework of analysis while documentary methods of analysis and content analysis were used to generate and analyze data. The study revealed that this pattern of insecurity challenge is detrimental to general well being of the people with its resultant effects in the area low quality of life, food insecurity, high cost of food, population displacement and even death, the destruction of business, properties and equipments, relocation and closing down of businesses. The study suggests that the Nigerian government and her security agencies should be pro-active in their responses, improve their intelligence gathering techniques and peace building and equip and motivate her security forces better. Key words: Insecurity, Cattle-rustling, Fulani- Farmers Clashes, Human Needs Theory and Nigeria. INTRODUCTION There is no doubt that the former Jonathan administration scored good marks in the area of agriculture. However, recent developments, especially the frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the predominantly farming areas of the six geo-political regions which have resulted in the destruction of lives and farmlands have become a major threat to efforts to boost food production. From Benue to Taraba, Nasarawa and Plateau in the North Central region and Zamfara and Kaduna States in the North West, Enugu, Anambra, Abia in the South-East, Delta and Edo in the South-south, clashes between farmers and herdsmen have left in its trail heavy losses of lives and property. These losses of lives have adversely affected farming activities and other related businesses. This has resulted in a drastic reduction in farm outputs, a development that has heightened the fear of hunger. Already most farmers in the affected states have abandoned farms for fear of being attacked by the herdsmen. For the predominantly farming communities of Specialty Journal of Politics and Law, 2017, Vol, 2 (1): 1-11 Benue and border communities of Nasarawa and Taraba states, farming is no longer business as usual. Several farmers have been displaced and dispossessed of their farms by armed men believed to be Fulani herdsmen. Agricultural and development experts are unanimous in their predictions that the gains recorded in the agricultural sector of the economy, especially in the area of food production, may suffer a serious setback as a result of the negative effects of terrorist activities on farmers in Benue and neighbouring states. Already, seven out of the 23 local governments in Benue state, namely Guma, Gwer-West, Agatu, Logo, Kwande and the Northern part of Makurdi mostly affected by the rampaging herdsmen have tale of woes to tell. The effects of the sustained Fulani war in the affected localities have led to farmers’ reluctance to go back to their farms even as the current farming season is far gone. In Benue state, for example, women from Guma and Gwer west local governments have stayed away from farms for fear of being killed or raped by the marauders. Curiously, both groups are pointing accusing fingers, each blaming the other for the havoc being perpetrated in the farming communities. As the blame game continues, several reprisal attacks have continued to occur in the attacks, heavy casualties in human lives and properties are recorded on both sides. According to Tyohmba(2014),government and analysts believe that the rising livestock population and encroachment on grazing lands were some of the causes of the clashes. Statistics have shown that in Nigeria, only 141grazing reserves have been gazettes with less than 20 equipped with resources for pastoralists. A proposed National grazing Route and Reserve Commission, if established, would acquire and manage parcels of land across the 36 states of Nigeria for the purpose of providing pastures for these nomads and their herds of cattle. This proposal will help in returning farmers to their farm lands thereby check mating food insecurity in Nigeria. States affected by these frequent clashes are making moves to find lasting solutions, just as similar efforts are being made at the federal level. An attempt to resolve the face-off between farmers and Fulani herdsmen seems to be underway. To analysts, the move is seen as a step in the right direction. The move considered a deft one will address the Fulani herdsmen not only in the country but in the Middle Belt. Before now, the nefarious activities of the Fulani herdsmen have been frowned at by all and sundry. There have been arguments for and against the setting up of grazing areas for the cattle- rearers which aims to restrict the movement of Fulani herdsmen in some geo political zones. Aside, suggestions has been thrown up on ways at preventing further confrontation with farmers, a step the Federal Government is yet to take. The essence of this paper is to examine the economic effects of the Fulani/herdsmen- farmers’ conflicts in Nigeria. To achieve this objective, the first part of the paper addresses this clashes in a theoretical-thematic format. Theoretical framework of analysis followed. The third section addresses the economic effects of the conflict. The final segment offered recommendations and concludes the paper. Thematic Exposition of Fulani Herdsmen-Farmers Clashes There are two major contending views on the between Fulani- farmers clashes. These views are summarized below. Although it is the general belief that the Fulani herdsmen attacks are an arbitrary attack not premeditated or planned to vacate their hosts from their land, many now believe that the attacks have been planned and executed with the knowledge and participation of certain government and traditional leaders. Drawing from the nature of attacks that have been carried out, there is a thesis that believes the attacks are not random or resultant of encounters with their hosts but a series of orchestrated attacks with vindictive motives. Those who believe in this assumption see the nationwide attacks as a chain of actions draw from a grand plan. According to Akume who represents Benue North West Senatorial Districts, the attacks, which have spread to Gwer west, Makurdi, Guma, Logo and Kwande local government areas, were carried out with automatic weapons far more superior than those manned by the police. He further said, We may be regarded as minority, but we can fight back if that becomes the only way to save our people from these inhuman attacks. We are peace-loving people and do not always complain. May be that is why we are being taken for granted. If government cannot do anything to help save the Tiv people, we may be compelled to fight back. The manner of attacks on the communities we represent at the National Assembly by well- armed groups show that the entire state is under siege (Ekah,et.al,2014:52). Looking at the attacks in the Middle Belt in a holistic view, they posit that it cannot be coincidental that they have decided to assault the North central region of the nation, citing reasons, according to these proponents, the attacks are planned to destabilize the region for either religious or political reasons. They 2 Specialty Journal of Politics and Law, 2017, Vol, 2 (1): 1-11 argue that the Fulani attacks are a campaign of some sort carrying along with the war, a religion; Islam, which they intend to establish after their conquest in the style of the Jihadists of old. This view failed to understand the peculiarities of the polity. While for, instance, the trend of violence and criminally ongoing in the northern region bother essentially on ethno- religious fundamentalism, the South-East and South-South regions have always grappled with kidnapping, armed robbery, youth militancy and vandalism as their own peculiar security situation. Within the Southwest Region, especially Metropolitan Lagos, area Boys syndrome and hooliganism have remained a unique future of the environment.

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