Herder-Farmer Conflicts: The Politicization of Violence and Evolving Security Measures in Nigeria

ABSTRACT This paper illuminates the interconnections between the Nigerian government’s failure to satisfactorily address the ever-rising violence linked to herder-farmer conflicts and the emergence of vigilante security measures at the geo-regional level. It also examines the overall implications of vigilante security measures vis-à-vis security challenges in Nigeria. The paper finds that the predisposition to, and adoption of vigilante security strategies is indicative of the failure of formal security apparatuses to live up to their constitutional mandates. The paper recommends preventive and inclusive policing as well as strict adherence to the tenets of justice in line with the rule of law.