Dissecting Management Strategies of Farmer – Herder Conflict in Selected Vulnerable States in North-Central Nigeria

This study examined farmer-herder conflict through the prism of management approaches/preventive conflict strategies in selected vulnerable States and Local Government Areas in North-Central Nigeria. Cross-sectional survey design and ex-post facto were used as research designs. A sample size of 57 Key Informant Interview (KII), 17 Focused Group Discussion (in a syndicate of 10 persons per group) and 10 Study Chat (SC) were carried out across the targeted communities with the aid of purposive sampling techniques. The participants were generated under the leadership of Community Security Architecture Dialogue (CSAD) a local peace structure which comprised of representatives of farmers, herders, religious group, traditional leaders, women wing, youth leaders, government security officials among others, under the supervision of Search for Common Group (SFCG), an NGO interfacing between farmers and herders in North –Central Nigeria. Thematic Content Analysis (TCA) was used to analyze the content of the data generated in the course of the interviews. Rational choice theory was used as a framework of analysis. The study discovered that; peace building structure achieved greater success in terms of mediation, dialogue, psycho-social and trauma healings among aggrieved parties. The study discovered that even though a number of arrests were made they were not sufficient enough due to sabotage from immediate communities. It noted further that the detention of suspects had significant impact in de-escalating conflicts between farmers and herders among others. Thus, the study recommended that; there is need for greater participation and cooperation the locals for building trust, confidence, resilience and trust among the contending parties, while members of the communities should be motivated by the governments of the States that make up the North-Central region to volunteer credible intelligence security tips to relevant authorities towards result oriented investigation, arrest