ACTIVITIES OF FULANI HERDSMEN AND ITS IMPLICATION ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

With a population of 20 to 30 million, the Fulani are the largest ethnic group in the Sahel. The Fulani have traditionally been semi-nomadic cattle herders, and communities would travel long distances along grazing routes to find food for their herds.The Fulani are an ethnic group, thought to be the largest in the Sahel with an In Nigeria, the Fulani are mostly concentrated in the north. However, a combination of political insecurity and drought is driving them further south, where they are clashing with local farming communities. Tensions between farmers and herdsmen have risen dramatically in recent years.According to Dr Roudabeh Kishi,(2018) director of the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), which monitors and maps conflict, the conflict ‘has increasingly ethnic (Fulani vs other Nigerian ethnicities), religious (Muslim herders vs Christian south), and cultural (nomadic vs sedentary) dimensions.According to ACLED data, Fulani ethnic militias were responsible for 217 civilian deaths between January and April of this year, with March being particularly violent. In comparison, Boko Haram, one of the continent's most dangerous terrorist groups, killed 78 civilians during the same time period.‘Fulani attacks on farmers are primarily practical rather than ideological; competition for suitable grazing land over the autumn and winter months. Though this has historically been seen as a reoccurring seasonal problem for many of the area’s farming communities, last month’s uncharacteristic level of violence has demanded the attention of the national government and military,’ says Kishi.(2018)

During the colonial period, the concept of community development emerged. It consists of three major components: community participation, organization, and work. Community development is a process in which members of a community work together to solve existing problems. This type of collective action frequently results in the economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being of the community. Community development actions can be initiated by a small group or by the entire community.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Fulani herdsmen and farmers' violent clashes have wreaked havoc on many Nigerian communities. Many people have died, many have been displaced, and property in the form of crops, animals, houses, vehicles, and so on has been destroyed.The deadly clashes between herdsmen and crop farmers have become one of Nigeria's most serious security issues, ranking second only to the Boko Haram insurgency (Okoro, 2018). The two groups' violent conflict has manifested itself in the form of bloody clashes (attacks and counter attacks).

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

I. To learn if Fulani herdsmen activities prevent companies from settling in communities

II. To learn as to if Fulani herdsmen activities reduce the population of the communities

III. To know if residents evade from the communities during the Fulani herdsmen attacks  

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

I. Does the activities of Fulani herdsmen cause growth of communities?

II. What are the effect of Fulani herdsmen in communities?

III. Do the activities of Fulani herdsmen have an impact on the increase in infrastructure?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this research work is to emphasis on the effect of the impact of Fulani herders on community development, and this research would prove beneficial for other academics, intellectuals, and students that might want to organize similar research.

1.6 SCOPE OF STUDY

This study concentrate on the influence of Fulani herdsmen attack on community service,the was carried out in Esako, Edo state.

1.7 DEFINATION OF TERMS

HERDSMEN: they own or keep domesticated animal herd

FULANI HERDSMEN: Fulani herders or Fulani pastoralists are nomadic or semi-nomadic Fulani people whose primary occupation is livestock raising.

COMMUNITY: A community is a social unit (a group of living things) that shares characteristics such as norms, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities can share a sense of place in a geographic space (e.g., a country, village, town, or suburb) or in virtual space via communication platforms.

DEVELOPMENT: Growth, improvement, progressive change, or the addition of physical, economic, environmental, social, and demographic components are all examples of development. The aim of development is to raise the population's standard of living and quality of life, as well as to create or expand local regional income and job opportunities, all while protecting the environment's resources.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Community development aims to provide individuals and groups of people with the knowledge and skills needed to affect change in their societies. These abilities are often developed through the development of social groups dedicated to a common goal

IMPLICATIONS: the effect that an action or decision will have on something else in the future

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