Insecurity, Religious Violence, and Social Identity Complexity: An Empirical Review of the Fulani-Tiv Conflicts in Benue State, Nigeria.

Janet Mbanegen Aondoakaa; Blessing Iveren Nomor PhD; Ungwa Emmanuel Vandekan

doi:10.56201/ajha.v9.no2.2025.pg31.36

📄 Download Paper

Insecurity, Religious Violence, and Social Identity Complexity: An Empirical Review of the Fulani-Tiv Conflicts in Benue State, Nigeria.

Janet Mbanegen Aondoakaa, Blessing Iveren Nomor PhD, Ungwa Emmanuel Vandekan

Abstract

The Fulani-Tiv conflict in Benue State, Nigeria, is a complex issue driven by historical, cultural, and socio-economic factors. Climate change has forced Fulani herders to migrate to Benue State, leading to competition for land and water resources with Tiv farmers. This conflict has resulted in significant human suffering, including loss of life, displacement, and destruction of property. The study explores the historical context and drivers of the conflict, identifying six key drivers: drought and desertification, loss of grazing reserves, changes in pastoralism and farming practices, rural banditry, escalating conflicts, and erosion of traditional conflict resolution mechanisms. The conflict has taken on an ethno-religious dimension, with underlying causes rooted in resource competition, poverty, unemployment, and criminal activities. To address the conflict, potential solutions include implementing conflict-sensitive approaches, utilizing traditional conflict resolution mechanisms, and addressing root causes such as climate change, resource competition, and identity politics.

Keywords

InsecurityReligious ViolenceSocial Identity ComplexityFulani-Tiv Conflicts and

References

Ahura, (2025). Conflict Sensitive and Newspaper Coverage of Fulani-Tiv Benue Conflict. Afigbo, A.E, (1989). „Federal Character: Its Meaning and History?, in P.P. Ekeh & E.E. Osaghae, eds., Federal Character and Federalism in Nigeria, Heinemann, Ibadan. Akano, Ezekiel K. and Jacob O. Bamigbose, “The Role of African Traditional Religion in Conflict Management in Nigeria.” Journal of Living Together, Volume 6, Issue 1, 2019, 246-258. Akinfenwa, Olubusola Bosede, “Ethnic and Religious Violence in Nigeria: A Proposal for Peaceful Co-Existence.” Religion in Contemporary Nigeria. Eds. Y.A. Quadri, R.W. Akinwumi, O.S. and H.O. Balogun, “Religious Terrorism in Contemporary Nigeria: Implications for National Development.” Religion in Contemporary Nigeria. Eds. Y.A. Quadri, R.W. Omotoye& R.I. Adebayo. London: Adonis & Abbey, ProQuest EbookCentral,http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/senc/detail.action?docID=51 07275.Created from senc on 2024-06-24 12:26:00. Tyav et al (20023). Communication Research in Okuna C.S (Ed). Teaching Communication: a Multi Dimentional Approach. Enugu: New Generation Book Asike, J. C. (2013). Social change and the crises of religious politics in Africa: A critical review of Fulani-Tiv relations in Benue State-Nigeria. Tyohemba A. (2024) Social and Political Philosophy: A Contemporary Introduction. Tajfel, Henri and John C. Turner, “Social Identity Theory of Intergroup Behavior.” Psychology of Intergroup Relations. Eds. S. Worchel and W. G. Austin. Chicago: Nelson-Hall, 1986. Thurston, Alexander. Boko Haram: The History of an African Jihadist Movement. Princeton University Press, 2018. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvc779gc. Accessed 23 June Terdoo, S. M., Gugur U. & Tarlumu A.G. “Impact of Religious Conflicts on the Relationship between Fulani-Tiv in Benue State.

Insecurity, Religious Violence, and Social Identity Complexity: An Empirical Review of the Fulani-Tiv Conflicts in Benue State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Keywords

References

More Articles from AFRICAN JOURNAL OF HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY