Boko Haram’s persistent attacks in the North East geopolitical zone are overshadowing a low level, but nonetheless intense, ongoing war between Fulani herdsmen and different ethnic communities in many parts of the north. The inter-communal violence is claiming many lives and displacing thousands more.
Attacks and counter attacks have become a common pattern between Fulani herdsmen and indigenous communities in the north and especially in Benue and Taraba states. However, the conflict has intensified because many communities have armed themselves to resist the attacks. The security agencies have failed to act or, in most cases, have arrived too late to stop or prevent the attacks. The result is a multifaceted and confusing conflict with no clear end
The government believes these attacks are the result of the shrinking of Lake Chad and the increasing desertification, which is forcing Fulani herdsmen to seek greener pastures further south. There is a perception that President Buhari’s government believes that the herdsmen-community violence is largely unavoidable. However, the government’s limited response has angered the majority of the population in the most-affected states.
Buhari has embarked on a tour of the most affected states. Those on the agenda are Taraba, Benue, Zamfara, Yobe and, rather surprisingly, Rivers State, which has also had its share of insecurity mainly from clashes between heavily armed cult groups. The purpose of the trip, according to a statement released by the Presidency, is to obtain a first-hand assessment of the situation on the ground.
Despite this, attacks have continued in Taraba and Benue, with 49 people being reportedly killed during the first few visits alone, while the president was launching a roadmap for peace in the state.
Opposition groups have dismissed Buhari’s visit as little more than a publicity campaign rather than a genuine effort to engage in reconciliation and peacebuilding. The security agencies look increasingly too over-stretched to deal with the deteriorating security situation, which has forced these communities to set up their own militias, exacerbating the situation further. Needless to say, it will take more than official visits from Buhari to end the historical grievances behind what has become the country’s most pressing conflict.
This article is taken from the weekly Nigeria Politics & Security analysis. To receive a free sample, please contact our Africa team.
