Criminal Armed Herdsmen Operation in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria: Implications On Human and Food Security

The research focuses on the implications of armed herdsmen operations on human and food security in the Southern Kaduna region of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The research design for the study is a descriptive survey method; a sample of 90 respondents was drawn from the three most affected local government areas where armed herdsmen operation strives in the region. The questionnaire was used as a major instrument for the collection of primary data; in-depth interviews were also conducted by the researcher to elicit further information from respondents. Secondary data was sourced from books, journals, newspapers and online peer-reviewed materials. The routine activity theory was adopted to explain armed herdsmen activities in Southern Kaduna. Findings suggest that deaths, hospitalizations, burning of houses amongst many others were major implications on human security while burning of farmlands, kidnappings on the farm and closure of markets were amongst major implications of food security in the region. The study recommends the provision of more sophisticated detection equipment in the rural areas for early detection of arrival and settlement of armed herdsmen in the forestlands, provision of more sophisticated detection equipment and arms and ammunition to the security forces to eliminate the attacking herdsmen. The study also recommends compensation for the affected communities through government distribution of grains from the strategic reserves and re-establishment of farmlands and construction of new residential structures for the affected people.