Cattle rights versus human rights: herdsmen–farmer clashes in Nigeria

Abstract Climate change across West Africa has provoked recurrent herdsmen–farmer clashes in the subregion. In Nigeria, the frequency and magnitude of the clashes and the resultant destruction of lives and property has become a cause for concern to both government and citizens. This is especially so because of the danger it poses to society and national security. Accordingly, the need for a close study of the problem can hardly be over-emphasised. This study historicises this unsavoury phenomenon in Nigeria as well as its social and economic cost to society. The research contends that the activities of the herdsmen in various Nigerian communities represent a contest between the values the nomads attach to their cattle and the farmers, to their crops/land. These values were overheated by the political undercurrent in Nigeria in recent times. Our study shows that, contrary to insinuations that herdsmen rein all the havoc in most Nigerian communities, some were the handiwork of criminals; hence, religious and ethnic bigots who have taken advantage of the crisis. Our analysis is partly descriptive and quantitative, and is based on secondary data and information culled from direct interviews from the field, as well as newspaper reportage.