THE EFFECT OF PASTURALISTS (FULANI HERDSMEN) AND FARMERS' CONFLICTS ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE MIDDLE-BELT REGION OF NIGERIA

The paper examined the incessant and perennial conflict between pastoralists otherwise called Fulani herdsmen and farmers' conflict in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria especially in states like Benue, Nassarawa, Taraba, Plateau and Kaduna. The objective of the paper was to critically examine the recurrent herdsmen and farmers' conflict in the region, which has devastated and destroyed socio-economic activities in the region and proffer lasting solution to this conflict. The conflict has also taken very dangerous ethnic and religious dimensions, which have polarized the government and security agencies in curbing the trend. Different conflict management approaches were reviewed with the aim of finding lasting solution to the conflict. Based on empirical studies and observation from other parts of the world, it was revealed that the best way of curbing herdsmen and farmers' conflict is the provision of ranches for livestock in confinement with modem facilities in line with global best practices. The paper therefore recommended, among others, the provision of ranches in parts of the country or region where livestock is domesticated to avoid reoccurrence of the conflict.