CAUSES OF SEDENTARY FARMERS' AND FULANI PASTORALISTS' CONFLICTS IN SOME SELECTED AREAS IN KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA (2015-2024)

The research examined the causes of sedentary farmers’ and Fulani pastoralists’ conflicts in some selected areas in Kebbi state, Nigeria (2015-2024). The study adopted a qualitative approach which involves In-depth Interview (IDI), Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) and Key Informant Interview (KII) as the instruments of data collection. Thematic analysis was employed as method of data analysis. Frustration-aggression theory one of the variants of social conflict theory was used as a unit of analysis. Research findings indicated that the causes of sedentary farmers’ and Fulani pastoralists’ conflicts in the study areas include the encroachment of grazing routes, reserves and watering points by the sedentary farmers; competition for land related resources by both the sedentary farmers and Fulani pastoralists; unintentional destruction of sedentary farmers’ crops by the Fulani pastoralists; the development of irrigation farming by the sedentary farmers that blocked Fulani pastoralists’ watering points; cutting and destruction of sedentary farmers’ economic trees by the Fulani pastoralists; and superstitious beliefs and illiteracy between and among Fulani pastoralists and sedentary farmers. Others are formation of racial organizations by both the sedentary farmers and Fulani pastoralists that protect the interest of both parties; the establishment of vigilante groups and the emergence of Banga and Lakurawa in some areas; the movement of Fulani pastoralists from the North to the South during the rainy and dry seasons which destroyed sedentary farmers’ crops; demographic changes that put more pressure for land resources competition; climate change which brought about desertification and made Fulani pastoralists to enter into the farmland of sedentary farmers; lack of effective government policies on the distribution of land resources management; abuse of power by the traditional rulers and bribery and corruption by the civilians and security agents and the challenge of cattle rustling, kidnapping and rape. The study recommends that sedentary farmers and Fulani pastoralists should be educated to respect the rule of law and reduce taking the law into their hands; law enforcement agencies should be neutral and apolitical in discharging their duties; government should make adequate policy on punishment to anybody that violates the law; and government should provide ranching areas for the Fulani pastoralists.