Human Security and the Pervading Herders-Farmers Crisis in Igangan and Igbo-ora Communities, Oyo State

Abstract

Farmers-Herders conflict in Nigeria has been a reoccurring decimal in the last decade. The dynamics of the conflict has equally been reflected in the killings, wounding and maiming by mainly the Herders-Farmers. Although there were underlying ethnic factors, the spread in this violent conflicts have increased beyond the borders of the Northern Nigeria with nose-diving effects to other States in the Southern parts whiles scores have also been recorded despite decimation tactics. Therefore, the study examined the pattern of herder‟s migration along the Igangan and Igbo Ora communities in Oyo State to ascertain the level of Human security due to Herders-Farmers crisis. The study explored the human security and migration pattern in Igangan and Igbo Ora using the Environmental Criminology Theory advanced by Jefferson (1971) and as was modified by the Brantingham‟s (1980). The exploratory research design was adopted for the study while data were derived using primary and secondary sources of data. A total of 25 respondents were sampled using largely the qualitative means of data collection. Therefore, 20 In-depth Interviews were conducted to sample the opinions of Farmers, Herders and the Fulani chiefs in the Yoruba communities. Similarly, 5 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) was used to sample the opinions of community members, and the Nigerian Police and member of the vigilante group. Secondary data included journals, articles, books and theses. The data were analysed using ethnographic summaries and verbatim quotation from respondents. Impoverishment, displacement and job shift, and the search for greener pasture were the pushpull factors identified as ravaging end results of the exodus movement of Herders down Southwestern communities which in turn prompted conflicts between Igbo-Ora and Igangan dwellers. The study revealed that Iganagan, Igbo Ora farmers and herders conflicts has generated dimensions of inter-ethnic nature especially between the migrated Herders and their host communities leading to food poisoning, rape and intimidation and fear of moving freely in the community. Furthermore, lapses in policing these communities and conflict resolution measures overtime have continue to smear crisis especially as the heads of Herders, and Farmers and community leaders rarely see their commonness rather their claims for superiority unfolds and which have affected human and food security. The study concluded that ranching sites is necessary in these communities and across Nigeria as a short time measure to decimate herders-farmers conflicts while also addressing the flows of herders to these communities. Similarly, the enforcement of law(s) against open grazing and incursion into farm land and water poisoning and the violations to these laws be severely punished.