Perceived Effects Of Herders And Farmers Conflict On Socioeconomic Activities In Uzo-Uwani And Isi Uzo, Enugu State

The current spate of violence in the South East region of Nigeria has resulted in not only the imminent risk of mass exodus of people and loss of valuable resources but also in the worsening of an already bad economic situation for both the states in the region and those living in them. The herders and farmers’ conflict is notably one of the significant causes of increased violence within this region with devastating consequences. Using both frustration-aggression theory as framework and the survey research design, the study sought to find out the perceived effects of the frequent conflict between cattle herders and farmers on the socioeconomic activities in Isi Uzo and Uzo Uwani Local Government Areas of Enugu State, Nigeria. A sample size of 385 respondents was obtained using the multi-stage sampling technique. The result of the research unveiled that herders and farmers conflict has perceived effects on the socio-economic activities of the people in Isi Uzo and Uzo Uwani LGAs of Enugu State, Nigeria. The study recommended the establishment of strong conflict management/reconciliation body/committee to look into ways of resolving the herders-farmers’ conflict that is bedeviling the communities.