Cattle Rustling Research Articles

Criminal and criminological issues of the fight against cattle raiding

The authors of this paper attempted a comprehensive study of criminological and criminal law features of the fight and prevention of cattle rustling as the most urgent problem of the modern state (using various norms of the Criminal Code of the Re- public of Kazakhstan dated July 3, 2014 (latest wording as of January 10, 2022), statistical data, modern publications of the analytical plan and law enforcement prac- tice). The purpose of this paper is an in-depth and comprehensive study of crimino- logical and criminal law features of crimes stipulated by Article 188-1 of the Crim- inal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This study employed methods of crimino- logical analysis, research of statistical indicators, content analysis of regulatory doc- uments, as well as elements of system-structural, normative, formal legal, compara- tive legal, and retrospective analysis of cattle raiding. The study analysed the meth- ods, means, composition of this criminal encroachment on someone else's property in the form of cattle and small-horned cattle, and other varieties of livestock, the system of prevention and suppression of cattle raiding in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Mongolia, and other countries, quantitative and qualitative indicators of this type of crime, which also adversely affects the development of the agro-industrial complex of the country. In addition, the authors noted the problems of causing con- siderable damage to livestock owners and the growth of organised crime in this area of illegal activity. Furthermore, the involvement of materials of law enforcement practice determined the practical significance of this paper, the originality of clari- fying certain issues. Therewith, the issue studied in this paper constitutes the most negative factor affecting the development of the livestock industry in Kazakhstan and other countries, its prevention is certainly promising for further research and detailing controversial issues on tightening the responsibility of criminals and improving the competence of cattle and small-horned cattle owners, other animals (breeding horses, donkeys, camels, pigs) to protect their property. Key words: cattle raiding, theft, civil law, cattle and small-horned cattle, method of commission, animal husbandry.

Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in a Vegetable Cultivated in a Conflict Zone

The health risk to the population from exposure to heavy metals in an area that have witnessed a surge in illegal mining activities, cattle rustling and banditry were evaluated in the current study. Sorel (Hibiscus sabdariffa) leaves sample from Gadirge village, Jibia local Government area, Katsina State, Nigeria was evaluated for the presence of heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The health risks of the evaluated heavy metals in the sample to the population were assessed using the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Health Risk Index (HRI)) to assess the possible non-carcinogenic effect and the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) for the cancer risks. The result of the mean concentration values of the evaluated heavy metals Fe, and Pb from the sample falls above the Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) of heavy metals in leafy vegetables. The concentrations of the other metals including Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn and Cd evaluated in the sample were within the permissible values The result of the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) associated with the evaluated heavy metals exposure through consumption of the sample for adults and children all were below 1, with exception of the THQ for the heavy metal Fe in the adults and children population and for Mn in the children population that were above 1. The combined health risks for all the metals in the sample for the adults and children population represented as the HRI were above 1, the result of the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) for both the adult and children population shows that the heavy metal Ni is beyond the threshold of the safety limit for cancer risk. There is a health risk concern from consumption of the vegetable sample as it may add to the disease burden of the population.

Influence of Banditry on Agricultural Activities and Livelihood of Farmers in Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria

The study investigated the effect of banditry on agricultural activities in Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State using, 120 farmers in Jere and Buhit Districts. Five villages were randomly and purposefully selected based on bandit operations. Closed structured questionnaire was used to determine socioeconomic characteristics, types, ways and effects of operations on farmers, and farmers escape strategies. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and mathematical technique (confrontation index) while mean bench mark of 3.0 determined significant level. Results showed that, 59.17 % male, married (56.67%) and within the ages 35 to 44 (29.16%) years dominated farming activites. The farmers had primary education (37.50%) with 11-15 (26.67%) years of farming experiences on 1 acre to 2 hectares, using average household size of 4-6 persons. Fulani herdsmen (4.6%) and Boko Haram (4.38%) were prominent, mostly through kidnapping (4.66%), rampant killing of farmers (4.37) and cattle rustling (4.28). Consequently, high food insecurity (4.56%), loss of people’s jobs, conflicts, life dependency on provider and inflation were imperative. However, farmers organized vigilante group (4.56%) and engaged security guards to protect farms, homes and villages with local weapons and charms. Results also showed that migration for safety village and branding of livestock for identification against theft were among the strategies adopted to survive. It is therefore suggested that, farmers in the interim should intensify effort towards acquiring sophisticated weapons for vigilante and security guards while government at all levels and other stockholders work out permanent solution to end banditry in Bassa for sustainable livelihood.

Effect of Cattle Rustling on Economic Development in Zamfara State, Nigeria

The objectives of the paper are to determine the effect of cattle rustling on the lsevel of income of cattle owners in Zamfara state and to investigate the effect of cattle rustling on the quantity of cattle supplied in the market. A survey method using a structured questionnaire and informal interviews of key informants as well as direct observation of respondents was used. The multi-stage sampling technique was employed in selecting samples for the study. The linear regression model was used for the analysis of the data. The results of the study revealthat cattle rustling in Zamfara State affect the income of cattle owners and the market quantity of cattle. Furthermore, the result shows that cattle rustling had led to a decrease in the income of cattle owners and the market quantity of cattle in the study area. The study recommends that government should recognize vigilante groups to strengthen the effort of security agencies to prevent and control activities of cattle rustling. The paper also recommended that government should economically empower the people on cattle rearing and production to increase the market quantities of cattle in Zamfara State, Nigeria.

The legal perspective on unlawful possession of firearms, and cattle rustling in Karamoja sub-region

Karamoja is located in the northeastern part of Uganda. It is a 27,200 square kilometer area of semi-arid savannah. It is bordered by the Turkana (Kenya) in the east, Sudan in the north and to the west and south it is bordered by Ugandan districts occupied mostly by the Acholis, Itesots and Sabiny people. The area being semi-arid, the Karamajong focus majorly on livestock–principally cattle. This explains their persistent nomadic life in pursuit for water and pasture. Their love for cattle bred a culture of raiding and warfare which has kept them at loggerheads with their neighbours. In the past, raids were mild but the situation worsened because of the proliferation of small weapons. Following the collapse of Amin’s regime in 1979, Moroto barracks was abandoned thereby leaving weapons in the hands of the clueless civilians and violence as a result reached unprecedented levels. Having assumed power in 1986, the government of Uganda under Y K Museveni, launched disarmament campaigns in 2001 and 2006. This led to the recovery of thousands of guns and by 2010, relative peace was restored. Later people illegally acquired through black-market and the situation worsened because little had been done to rehabilitate the young men who had given up their guns. In the words of Jino Meri, the LCV chairman of Kaabong District, ‘they didn’t have post-disarmament programmes to disarm the mind.’ The government has since embarked on a more appealing disarmament programme whereby, whoever hands over his gun is appreciated with a number goats as a wealth creation mechanism. This is intended dislodging the absurd culture of cattle rustling that not only breeds insecurity but also causes under developed.

Ethical Issues and Insecurity in Africa: The Media Dimension

This paper addresses ethical issues and the challenges of insecurity in connection to mass media and journalistic practice in the context of Africa. In communication studies, ethics is central and critical to the issue of insecurity in Africa, especially to the credibility in the gathering, processing, and delivery of information for believability. Insecurity constitutes a major impediment to the development of Africa. There are multiple points of violent conflicts, acts of terrorism, kidnapping, and crimes. Many countries in Africa are faced with threats ranging from armed banditry, cattle rustling, armed and sea robberies and piracy, militancy, cultism, pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering, and crude oil theft, illegal refining of petroleum, herdsmen-farmers clashes, activities of IPOB and other separatist groups. All of these make society tense, dangerous, and conflict-ridden with implications on journalism, its ethical practice, performance, and credibility. For an individual or people to internalize, accept, believe and actualize the content of information, such an individual or people must adjudge the source and content of the information based on truthfulness, competence, dynamism, and relevance. Often time, the challenges of insecurity in Africa are accelerated due to the way media handle such issues. When an individual is sufficiently and ethically informed, he or she becomes knowledgeable on a particular subject and the mind is freed from uncertainty, liberated from ignorance, and empowered to effectively participate in the process of national development. The growth and development of Africa have continuously failed to correlate with the quantum of resources allegedly expanded over time. Within this context, this paper examines ethics in journalistic engagement and the issues of insecurity in Africa.

Farmers and pastoralists’ socio-cultural interaction: mitigating conflicts in rural communities for livelihood development in Nigeria

Pastoralists and farmers’ activities guarantee food security while the pastoral systems have been the focus of conflicts in recent times in Nigeria. Much work has been done to explore the causes and effects of such conflicts from the farmers’ perspectives; hence this study approached it from the pastoralists’ viewpoint. The study examined the socio-cultural influence of interactions between pastoralists and farmers of the host communities in Nigeria. A three-stage random sampling procedure was used to select 121 pastoralists while data was collected using an interview schedule. Findings showed that 68.6% of the sample owned above 16 cattle and the annual income of 47.1% of the sampled pastoralists range from 100,000-500,000 Naira for over 16years. The factors triggering conflicts between pastoralists and their farmer hosts included: destruction of farmers' crops by herds, cattle rustling by thieves, sexual harassment involving their women, and harassment by the host community. This study also showed a relatively poor socio-cultural integration in intermarriage, understanding and speaking of host communities' language. Age, marital status, herd size, education level and income influenced the integration of pastoralists into host communities. The study concluded that there is a strong need for inter-marriages between pastoralists and farmers in furtherance of integration of the pastoralists with the socio-cultural values of the farmers. This can be achieved by engaging extension workers who will provide requisite enlightenment, education and training to the pastoralists. It thus becomes imperative for stakeholders to foster an enabling environment for improved social integration to assuage the rising conflicts. The study is novel as it documents the nexus between socio-cultural interaction and conflicts; with implication for capacity building, education and training on conflict resolution for livestock extension practitioners.

Assessment of factors responsible for farmers-herders conflict in Benue state north central, Nigeria¬

Beyond the aggravating effects of climate change on both sedentary agrarian farming communities and the pastoral herders, are other man made factors, which could be seen in the persistent occurrence of farmers-herders conflicts in Benue State and across various parts of Nigeria, thus a clog in the wheel of progress to national development and cohesion. It was against this background that this study engaged conflict theory to examine the factors responsible for farmers-herders conflict in Benue State. The study employed Taro Yamane sampling technique on administered five-Likert scale questionnaire. Findings from study on the factors responsible for farmers-herders conflict reveals that encroachment on farm lands and crop destruction by cattle stands at (71.1%), Unemployment and poverty (62.9%),Communication barrier/Mutual distrust (64.2%), inadequate grazing reserves/Blockage of grazing routes (68.4%,), Raping/Kidnapping of women (59.4%), Land ownership tussle/ Indigenization (51.6%), Cattle rustling/Theft (26.6%) and Contamination of river bodies by cattle (71.9%). The deduction therefore is that majority of the respondents emphatically agreed with all the factors mentioned above as the major causes of the conflict in Benue and Nigeria in general. However, the opinions of most respondents out rightly rejected cattle rustling as a major cause of the conflict in the study area. The study recommends that the establishment of modern functional cattle ranches will significantly address the issues of grazing routes blockage and encroachment on farm lands/crop destruction which will drastically reduce or completely eliminate farmers-herders conflict in Nigeria. This study also recommends the urgent implementation of the National Young Farmers Scheme’ aimed engaging modern methods of farming by engaging 1,000 farmers from each of the 774 Local Government. That Federal government should evolve genuine and workable national strategies of disarming the armed killer herdsmen parading farming communities in Benue with sophisticated weapons of Ak47 to commit carnage, and rape against farming communities.

Banditry and Income-Generation Activities of Rural Women in Katsina State, Nigeria

Banditry activities have exacerbated severe socio-economic consequences including maiming and sacking of people off their farm lands, homes and income-generation activities. The extent the menace has affected women’ income-generation activities in Katsina State was investigated using survey design approach. Multistage sampling technique was adopted to select 558 respondents. Data on respondents’ socio-economic characteristics, banditry forms, income-generation activities, causes and effect of banditry were collected using structured interview schedule. Frequency counts, percentages, mean, Chi-square, PPMC and ANOVA were employed in data analysis. Results indicate that majority had mean age of 37 years, household size of 9 people and less or equal #154877.20 annual income. Gun shooting, theft and burglary, cattle rustling and kidnapping were most frequent forms of banditry. Livestock farming/poultry, trading, food processing, and crop farming were major income-generation activities while connivance of bandits with locals, weak security architecture and extreme poverty were main causes. Level of effect across the state was high as gathering non-fish aquatic products, processing of fish, pot making, basket making, and crop farming activities were greatly reduced. PPMC result shows that household size significantly correlated with level of effect in the state (r = 0.093, p = 0.029) and in Batsari (r = 0.146, p = 0.047) LGA. Also, educational status (χ2 = 12.511, p = 0.006) showed significant association with level of effect. The test of difference using ANOVA showed that effect level was higher in Batsari (mean = 52.44) than in Safana (mean = 51.11) and Jibiya (mean = 51.11) LGAs.

Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Vegetable: The Contribution of Illegal Mining and Armed Banditry to Heavy Metal Pollution in Katsina State, Nigeria

The health risk to the population from exposure to heavy metals in an area that have witnessed a surge in illegal mining activities, cattle rustling and banditry were evaluated in the current study. Moringa leaves sample from Jabiyawa village, Jibia local Government area, Katsina State, Nigeria was evaluated for the presence of heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The health risks of the evaluated heavy metals in the sample to the population were assessed using the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Health Risk Index (HRI)) to assess the possible non-carcinogenic effect and the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) for the cancer risks. The result of the mean concentration values of the evaluated heavy metals Fe, Cu and Pb from the sample falls above the Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) of heavy metals in leafy vegetables. The concentrations of the other metals including Zn, Ni, Mn and Cd evaluated in the sample were within the permissible values The results of the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) associated with the evaluated heavy metals exposure through consumption of the sample for adults and children were below 1, with exception of the THQ for the heavy metal Cu in the children population that was above 1. The combined health risks for all the metals in the sample for the adults and children population represented as the HRI were above 1. The result of the Incremental Life Cancer Risk (ILCR) for both the adults and children population shows that the heavy metal Ni is beyond the threshold of the safety limit for cancer risk. There is a health risk concern from consumption of the sample as the vegetable may contribute to the disease burden of the population.

Cattle Rustling and Livestock Farmers’ Welfare Status in Katsina State, Nigeria

Cattle rustling in recent time have become a socioeconomic menace bedeviling Katsina State. Conscious of its socioeconomic outcome, fruitless efforts were made to tame the tide by government. It was against this background, that the study investigated the phenomenon in Katsina State with a view to situating its causes, and effect on livestock farmers’ welfare status. Descriptive survey design and multi-stage sampling technique were used to generate a sample size of 542 respondents from entire livestock farmers’ population in Katsina State. Structured interview schedule was employed to illicit responses on farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics, involvement; rustled animals other than cattle, benefits, causes, and effect. Results revealed that livestock farmers were middle aged, experienced, males, married with large household size and Quranic educational qualification. Level of Involvement was high just as sheep and goats ranked most rustled animals alongside cattle. Level of benefit was high with manure, food, and income ranking most areas of benefits. Connivance of bandits with locals, extreme poverty, poor education, and politics were crucial causes with high level of effect that resulted to low welfare status. PPMC test of relationship revealed that age, household size, experience, involvement, benefit and effect had significant relationships with livestock farmers’ welfare status. Chi-square test of association revealed livestock farmers’ educational attainment, religion, gender as having significant association with farmers’ welfare status. Livestock farmers’ welfare status was low and a function of spate of rustling that besieged the state. Livestock farmers should initiate a collaborative effort aimed at having alternative livelihood activities.

Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in a Vegetable Cultivated on Land Polluted through Illegal Mining

The risk of exposure to the population from heavy metals in an area that have witnessed a surge in illegal mining activities, cattle rustling and banditry were evaluated in the current study. Lettuce leaves sample from Gadirge village, Jibia local Government area, Katsina State, Nigeria was evaluated for the presence of heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The health risks of the evaluated heavy metals in the sample to the population were assessed using the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Health Risk Index (HRI)) to assess the possible non-carcinogenic effect and the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) for the cancer risks. The result of the mean concentration values of the evaluated heavy metals Fe and Pb from the sample falls above the Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) of heavy metals in leafy vegetables. The concentrations of the other metals including Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn and Cd evaluated in the sample were within the permissible values. The result of the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) associated with the evaluated heavy metals exposure through consumption of the sample for adults and children were all lower than 1, with exception of the THQ for the heavy metals Fe and Mn in the adults and children population that was above 1. The combined health risks for all the metals in the sample for the adults and children population represented as the HRI were higher than 1, the result of the Incremental Life Cancer Risk (ILCR) for both the adult and children population has revealed that the heavy metal Ni was beyond the threshold of the safety limit for cancer risk. There is a health risk concern from consumption of the sample as the vegetable may contribute to the disease burden of the population.

Human Rights in Crises

Abstract The Nigerian nation has gone through a countless number of socio-economic and political challenges since its spontaneous union of numerous ethno-religious, political, and geo-regional races on January 1, 1914. There have been joint threats to the cohesion, assimilation, and unity of the Nigerian State due to the prevalence of a tense political system that is deeply ingrained with a deeply divided society. These threats include symptoms of not only disaffection but also an escalation of insecurities such as conflicts over resource allocation and revenue control, cattle rustling, kidnapping, cultism, armed banditry, the politics of inter-ethnic conflict. This paper adopted the doctrinal and historiographical methods of research to appraise the subject of the research. The paper concluded that while it has been established in this paper that self-determination is indeed provided for in both the Universal declaration of Human Rights, 1948 (udhr) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, 1986 (achpr), it has also been established to be against the Constitution of Nigeria, which is founded on the incontrovertible principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity. The paper further recommended that consensual regionalism is the way forward for satisfying dissenting voices, and guaranteeing adequate representation in government.

Theorising and illustrating plural policing models in countering armed banditry as hybrid terrorism in northwest Nigeria

Banditry constitutes about 40% of national insecurity in Nigeria. It is a composite crime manifesting in wanton killing, cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, levying of illegal tax on farming communities, sexual violence and trafficking of arms and drugs. Through qualitative and quantitative research methodology, this article attempts to theorise and illustrate policing models aimed at countering armed banditry in northwest Nigeria. Coordinates of attacks by bandits are georeferenced to show their spatial distribution and pattern. As Nigeria continues to experience the shocks of banditry, the national and subnational governments are providing counter measures to lessen the striking capability of the bandits through four distinct but complementary models of policing. The article offers direction on the policing imperatives for combatting armed banditry in Nigeria. It proposes a multilevel policing framework which encompasses the mainstream policing, hybrid policing and the joint task force models with the state police as the new layer on the existing security architecture. This is well suited to respond to the conceptual, practical and strategic dimensions of policing in Nigeria to combat armed banditry and other criminalities that envelop the country.

Forces of Terror: Armed Banditry and Insecurity in North-west Nigeria

ABSTRACT Nigeria has confronted several security conundrums in recent years, including armed banditry, which poses a severe threat to the north-west and the entire nation. North-west Nigeria has been hit by an unprecedented wave of kidnappings, maiming, killings, population displacements, cattle rustling, and disruption of socio-economic activities due to the rise of armed bandits in the region. These events have created a climate of uncertainty that has become a cause for concern for the government and the citizenry. Relying on secondary sources of data, this article examines the causes, manifestations, and dimensions of armed banditry in north-west Nigeria, and its security implications. It provides a survey of both the visible and less-visible actors in the conflict. The article argues that armed banditry in the north-west and other parts of Nigeria transcends pastoralist insurgency, as evident in the dominant narratives, considering the multiplicity of complexly connected causal factors, actors, manifestations, and dimensions that are present in the threats posed by this development. The article also shows the negative impacts of armed banditry on human and national security in the region.

Illegal Mining and Armed Banditry in Katsina State, Nigeria: What is their Contribution to the Heavy Metal Pollution of a Popularly Consumed Vegetable?

The health risk to the population from exposure to heavy metals in an area that have witnessed a surge in illegal mining activities, cattle rustling and banditry were evaluated in the current study. Cabbage leaves sample from Makiya village, Jibia local Government area, Katsina State, Nigeria was evaluated for the presence of heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The health risks of the evaluated heavy metals in the sample to the population were assessed using the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Health Risk Index (HRI)) to assess the possible non-carcinogenic effect and the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) for the cancer risks. The result of the mean concentration value of the evaluated heavy metal Pb from the sample falls above the Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) of heavy metals in leafy vegetables. The concentrations of the other metals including Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn and Cd evaluated in the sample were within the permissible values The result of the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) associated with the evaluated heavy metals exposure through consumption of the sample for adults and children were all below 1. The combined health risks for all the metals in the sample for the adults and children population represented as the HRI were below 1, the result of the Incremental Life Cancer Risk (ILCR) for both the adults and children population shows that all the heavy metals have ILCR that falls within the safety limit for cancer risk. Because of the above permissible Pb concentration in the analysed cabbage leaves sample, it can be deduced that the vegetable is not safe for consumption.

Managing cattle rustling by enhancing police–community cooperation in the Karamoja Cluster: Lessons from Baringo, Kenya

ABSTRACT The Karamoja Cluster is the epicentre of Africa’s decades-old problem of cattle rustling. Recent reports indicate a rise in livestock theft, despite the unilateral and multilateral interventions of the cluster’s respective governments. Paradoxically, with the deployment of elite and specialised police units – and in some cases even the military – the number of fatalities, frequency of incidences and amount of livestock stolen all continue to increase. Using Baringo, Kenya as a case study, this article investigates why cattle rustlers continue to thrive in the Karamoja Cluster. Police legitimacy theory, frustration–aggression theory and theory of eco-violence were employed and both primary and secondary data sources were used, including interviews with 32 purposively selected respondents. It was found that coercive government responses to cattle rustling have resulted in the perception of police illegitimacy and consequently in non-cooperation between the community and the police. It is recommended that the Karamoja Cluster’s governments re-evaluate their intervention strategies with a view to fostering a positive police–community relationship in the areas most afflicted by cattle rustling, and that they deploy local reservists who are more aligned with local sociocultural dynamics in order to increase community acceptance of and cooperation with the police.

Depiction of Cattle Raiding and Rustling in Egara Kabaji’s ‘Mourning Glory’: An Analysis of Causes, Consequences, And Socio-Cultural Implications in Northern Kenya

Banditry and cattle rustling in northern Kenya have posed persistent security challenges and hindered the region’s development and social cohesion. This qualitative study delves into the multifaceted factors contributing to the perpetuation of these criminal activities, drawing insights from a purposive sampling of the Kenyan fictional novel “Mourning Glory” (2022) by Egara Kabaji and related research. The study was guided by Shaw’s and McKay’s Social Disorganization Theory. The analysis reveals a complex web of issues, including government reluctance, cultural practices, greed-driven commercialization, and cross-border arms trade. The study found that the government’s lack of resolve in addressing insecurity has eroded public trust, and past efforts have yielded little tangible results. On the other hand, cultural norms, influenced by traditional nomadic lifestyles and territorial competition, continue to fuel the practice of cattle raiding and banditry. For instance, the commercialization of raids for monetary gain, involving political leaders and organized crime syndicates, has escalated the violence and transformed it into a lucrative enterprise. Therefore, to combat these challenges and achieve lasting peace, this study suggests a comprehensive approach involving multi-stakeholder collaboration, community engagement, and conflict resolution. Finally, the study’s findings emphasize the need for Kenya to adopt a holistic and sensitive approach to address the complexities of banditry and cattle rustling in northern regions.

Impact of Herdsmen Insurgencies on Food Stuff Supply and Sustainability in Nigeria.

The study examined the impacts of herdsmen insurgencies on food stuff supply and sustainability in Nigeria. The specific objectives are to: (i) investigate the major cause(s) of herdsmen attack on farmers in some parts of the country; (ii) examine the extent to which herdsmen attack affects the farmers, market women, individual and the economy of the country, (iii) examine the major factors responsible for herdsmen /farmers conflicts and (iv) investigate the extent in which the impart of herdsmen/farmers conflicts affects farmer’s savings. The methodology was through direct participation, structured questionnaire and focus group discussion. Those that were interviewed include: farmers, drivers, market women and individual through purposive sampling technique. A total of 300 copies of questionnaire were administered but 285 were found usable for this study. The analyses were both descriptive and inferential. Findings show that causes of herdsmen/farmers conflict have 35.8% (0.358) explanation on food supply and sustainability in Nigeria. The f-statistic value 20.772 with p-value 0.000 implied that crop damage by cattle encroachment; pollution of water points by cattle; domineering nature of the herdsmen; poor government policies; cattle rustling; affects food supply in Nigeria. The study however recommended that Governments should promulgate legislations outlawing open grazing of cattle while encouraging herders to establish ranches for their cattle, Government should also fish out the herdsmen sponsors who procure them with guns and other ammunitions to be carrying about and prosecute them and finally, State governments should designate some areas as grazing fields for the nomadic herdsmen and make them pay tax to the state, whilst warning that any crime involving a Fulani herdsman would attract severe penalties. This will drastically curb their excesses

WILL THE SECURITY CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA TRIGGER LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM?

Since the return to civil rule in 1999, Nigeria has been grappling with distress and persistent social, economic, and political challenges that are terrifically threatening the country’s corporate existence. Perhaps insecurity constitutes the most significant challenge to Nigeria’s stability. The spate and spectre of insecurity in the country, ranging from the Boko Haram/ISWAP, ethnoreligious crises, kidnapping, rural banditry, cattle rustling, farmers’/herders’ conflict, and the IPOB, had intensely questioned the capacity and capability of the levels of government to fulfil the very essence of the state, which is to guarantee peace, security of lives and livelihoods of individuals. Drawing on the assumptions of ungoverned spaces, the paper examined local governments' dwindled capacity to carry out governance functions, particularly in rural areas. Thus, the paper argues the essentials of bolder local government reform given the lapses in the existing structure as envisaged in the 1999 Constitution regarding the functions, status, finances, and relations between the local governments, states, and the federal government.