Ungoverned Spaces and Menace of Herder-Farmer Conflictin Ondo State, South West Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated  how ungoverned spaces promote herder-farmer conflict in Ondo state, South West, Nigeria. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion were used to obtain  primary data. Simple random sampling technique was employed in selecting 200 respondents.  Eighteen in-depth interviews  and two discussions were conducted. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using  descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings showed that herders used ungoverned spaces as hideouts to carry out attacks against the communities. Herder-farmer conflict led to loss of lives, destruction of property, disruption of  socio-economic activities, food insecurity and distrust among ethnic groups.  Amotekun security outfit plays crucial roles in monitoring and checkmating herders who use the unmanned forests as hideouts. Anti-grazing law is effective in restricting the movement of herders causing crop destruction. It  recommended that the ungoverned spaces should be used for siting of  local industries, tourist centres and mechanised farm settlements in order to create employment opportunities, boost food production and eliminate hideouts for the criminal elements. Drones can be deployed to monitor the operation of herders in the forests. Amotekun security outfit should be trained and adequately equipped with weapons for maximum delivery.