Impacts of Land Disputes on Community Development

Abstract

Land disputes as experienced in different parts of Nigeria have strong effect on rural and urban socio-economic development. Land disputes have disastrous and life threatening effects on individuals as well as on groups, communities and even entire nations. The goal of this study is to investigate the impacts of disputes on land in relation to human capital and infrastructural development of communities. In view of this, the study examined the specific impacts of land disputes on the development of communities in Inyimagu district. In achieving this, Three hundred and Seventeen (317) questionnaires were retrieved from the residents of the various villages that make up Inyimagu community in Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi state Nigeria, a community that has been ravaged by communal clashes with the adjoining villages including Nsobo community in Obubra local government area of Cross River state over the issue of land ownership. Data were analysed using a simple descriptive statistics. Finding shows that village claim of long time settlements, long-term enmity amongst families among others factors are the major reasons for the incessant land disputes in these communities. The study will contribute to the knowledge of understanding the major factors responsible for land disputes in rural communities and the effects of such disputes to the socio-economic growth and development of the effected communities.