Understanding Farmer-Pastoralist Conflicts In Nigeria’s Benue Valley: nature, causes, and impacts

The longstanding conflict between farmers and pastoralists in Nigeria has escalated in both intensity and scope, with the Benue Valley emerging as a major flashpoint. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative techniques to provide a robust empirical assessment of the nature and consequences of the conflict in the region. Findings reveal that the conflict manifests in forms ranging from verbal altercations to premeditated attacks and violent reprisals, with a consistent trend toward increased violence. The impacts are profound and far-reaching—massive loss of lives and property, widespread food insecurity and inflation, a surge in internally displaced persons (IDPs) and out-of-school children, escalating insecurity, tenure disputes, crop destruction, and limited access to grazing resources. To address these challenges, the study strongly recommends the establishment of ranches and grazing reserves, promotion of sustainable agricultural and pastoral practices, revival of participatory conflict resolution mechanisms, and implementation of large-scale afforestation and reforestation programs under active government supervision.