De-escalating Farmers–Herders Clashes in Benue State: A Path Towards Peace in a Fractured Landscape -By Prince Festus Oyom

The farmer–herder conflict in Nigeria, particularly in Benue State, has evolved into one of the country’s most persistent and deadly internal crises. Once rooted in seasonal land disputes, the conflict has escalated into systemic violence, fueled by environmental pressures, ethnic tensions, weak governance, and unregulated arms flow. In 2025, the crisis reached a new peak, with over 150 lives lost in a single attack in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable peacebuilding mechanisms. De-escalating these clashes requires a multi-layered approach that addresses both immediate security concerns and the deeper socio-economic and ecological drivers of conflict.

Background and Causes

Benue, known as the "Food Basket of the Nation", has been the epicenter of violent confrontations between sedentary farming communities and nomadic Fulani herders. Traditionally, herders moved across Nigeria following grazing patterns, but climate change and desertification in the north have pushed them further south. This increased migration has triggered disputes over land and water, often turning deadly.

The implementation of the 2017 Anti-Open Grazing Law in Benue, intended to protect farmland and promote ranching, inadvertently escalated tensions. Herders viewed the law as exclusionary, while farmers saw it as protective. With limited enforcement capacity and the absence of alternatives for pastoralists, the law deepened animosities rather than resolving them.

Current Realities (2025)

As of mid-2025, the situation in Benue remains dire:

Dozens of communities have been displaced following waves of attacks in Guma, Logo, Agatu, and Makurdi LGAs.

Civilians live in fear, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps are overwhelmed.

Despite the deployment of Operation Whirl Stroke (a military task force), attacks continue with impunity.

Recent peace talks facilitated by traditional leaders and civil society have shown potential but lack state-wide coordination and sustainability.

Strategies for De-escalation

1. Reviving and Scaling Up Community Dialogue Mechanisms

One of the most successful interventions in reducing local tensions has been the Conflict Prevention Forums (CPF) facilitated by NGOs such as Mercy Corps and supported by USAID. These forums bring farmers and herders together across borders (e.g., Benue–Nasarawa) to resolve grievances before they escalate. Expanding such platforms across Benue’s LGAs could reduce suspicion, build trust, and create locally-owned early warning systems.

2. Reform and Phased Implementation of Grazing Laws

Rather than enforcing blanket bans on open grazing without alternatives, the Benue State government should:

Re-assess the 2017 law with input from pastoralist communities.

Introduce a phased transition to ranching, backed by training, credit facilities, and designated grazing reserves.

Collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to establish pilot ranching projects that serve as models for peaceful coexistence.

3. Improved Security and Justice Systems

Military deployments alone cannot secure peace. What is needed is:

A community policing model that incorporates local vigilante groups under regulated and rights-based frameworks.

Deployment of early warning and rapid response systems using local intelligence.

Swift and impartial prosecution of those involved in violence—both attackers and instigators—to end the cycle of impunity.

4. Addressing the Climate–Conflict Nexus

Nigeria must acknowledge the role of climate change in the conflict. Droughts in the north reduce available pasture, compelling herders south. In response:

Government and donors should invest in fodder banks and water infrastructure in northern grazing corridors.

Support climate-resilient agriculture and alternative livelihoods for both farmers and herders.

Encourage reforestation and anti-desertification projects to stabilize migration patterns over the long term.

5. Reintegration, Rehabilitation, and Humanitarian Support

Benue hosts tens of thousands of IDPs, many of whom are farmers unable to return to their land. A viable peace process must include:

Reconstruction of destroyed homes and farms.

Trauma healing, psychosocial support, and vocational training.

Programs that integrate displaced herders into structured livestock development schemes, thus reducing competition and resentment

Conclusion

The farmer–herder conflict in Benue is not merely a security issue—it is a governance, environmental, and socio-economic crisis. While the pain of recent attacks is still raw, there is a path forward. Dialogue, justice, inclusive policy reform, climate action, and local peacebuilding efforts must all converge to rebuild trust and protect lives. The state and federal governments must commit to long-term structural solutions, rather than temporary security deployments or reactive legislation. Only then can Benue move from a place of grief to one of lasting peace and prosperity.

Prince Festus Oyom, is a Nigerian writer and commentator focused on youth, governance, and democratic accountability. You can contact via email: pfo.official@gmail.com

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