A Critical Analysis of the Implications of Farmers-Herders Conflict in Benue and Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

The persistent conflict between farmers and herders in Benue and Plateau States has evolved into a major threat to human security, food stability, and communal coexistence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. This study critically analyses the root causes, dynamics, and far-reaching implications of the conflict. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative data, the research examines how environmental degradation, resource competition, weak policy implementation, ethnic tensions, and the proliferation of small arms have exacerbated violence between agrarian and pastoralist communities. The study finds that the conflict has led to widespread displacement, loss of lives and livelihoods, disruptions in agricultural productivity, and a deepening of inter-group distrust. It also highlights the socio-political consequences of the crisis, including governance challenges and the strain on state security apparatuses. The paper concludes by evaluating current mitigation strategies and recommending more inclusive, community-based conflict resolution mechanisms, strengthened security presence, and sustainable land-use policies. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and development actors aiming to foster peace and socio-economic resilience in the affected states.