ABSTRACT
In the light of the above discussion, it could be seen that Fulani expansionist policy in Nigeria has become one of the most pressing challenges and threats facing the country since the beginning of the 21st century. The effects as were demonstrated above cut across all sectors of the country to include social, economic and political. Its current realities in Nigeria are such that there exist a mutual animosity and distrust between Fulani herdsmen and farming communities. The government on the other hand has appeared unwilling and incapable of arresting the situation and bringing the conflict to an end. Hence, the farming communities are left with the responsibility of defending and protecting themselves as well as their communities against the pastoralist Fulani herders who invade them unawares and succeed in killing them and destroying their farmlands. The Fulanis as we know are not aborigines of Nigeria. They migrated into the northern part of Nigeria between 13th and 14th centuries through Futa Jallon in Senegal, and by the beginning of the 19th century got integrated into the Hausa culture through a religious and political revolution organized under the leadership and inspiration of Usman Dan Fodio.1This revolution became known in history as the Usman Dan Fodio jihad of 1804. Ever since the successful Jihad of 1804, the Fulanis have consciously, continuously but gradually expanded to other parts of Nigeria. This is owed largely 67 to their nature and factors. The Fulanis are divided into two groups: the cattle Fulani and the town Fulani. The cattle Fulani which is our main focus are known to be nomadic pastoralist. The pastoralist nature has always driven them to other places in search of grazing land for their cattle. However, some factors such as economic, religious and political have made them expand to other areas of the country. Economically, the search for pasture or grazing land for their cattle has made them expand into other regions of the country. Religiously, the need to spread Islam across the country has also necessitated their expansion into other areas. Politically, the intrinsic tendency in them to rule others has also driven them into expanding to other areas of the country. The expansionist movement, however, has not been all smooth and peaceful especially since the beginning of the 21st century. Fulani herders who have expanded to other regions of the country with their cattle in search of grazing lands have always been confronted with stiff resistance by the farming communities who saw the expansion as encroachment into their lands and a threat to their lives. They often get into conflict with the farming communities which always result into great destruction of lives and properties. The terror caused by Fulani herdsmen in the course of this expansion in Nigeria has attracted the attention of the international community in which the Global Terrorism Index in 2015 described Fulani herdsmen as the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the world in 2014, ranking below Boko Haram, ISIS AND Taliban. 68 However, Fulani expansionist policy in Nigeria has had great effects and realities. So many lives and properties have been destroyed in the course of the expansion as it has brought Fulani herdsmen and the host communities into violent conflict resulting in the wanton destruction of lives and properties. Between 2010 and 2013 Fulani militants killed about 80% people in total, but by 2014, they have killed 1,229 people. They have also raped, maimed and burnt down houses thereby, displacing so many people and rendering others physically impaired and penury. It should be noted that casualties are not recorded among the members of the farming communities, but also among Fulani herders as their cattle are also killed or stolen, while in rare cases the Fulani are as well killed. The socio-economic and political effects and implications of Fulani expansionist movement are well pronounced. Socially, it has brought an end to some social activities such as religious, social and academic gatherings. This is because groups are always targeted during violent conflict to avoid being attacked, maimed and to an extent killed, schools and religious organizations stop their students and worshipers from attending academic and religious activities respectively. This affects students as they may stay for a very long time at home without studying. Economically, Fulani expansionist movement has caused great economic implications. It has reduced agricultural output and created poverty. During the clash between farmers and Fulani herdsmen, farmlands are destroyed, crops are damaged while cattle are killed. This leads to greater decrease in agricultural produce as there 69 would be shortage of food and money. The farmers also flee their farmlands during the conflict and may never return again to farm, thereby, living a poor and retched life. Some even go to the extent of begging to survive. Politically, it has diverted government attention from important state affairs to Fulanis/farmers’ conflict. It has also created a state of unrest and lack of political stability. Government now leaves some important state affairs to take care of the conflict going between Fulani herdsmen and farming communities. The current reality is that the government is not moved by the conflict brought about by Fulani expansionist movement as they appear unwilling and incapable of solving the problem. The government appears to be pacifying the Fulani herdsmen, thereby, urging the states in Nigeria to accept open grazing or provide a piece of land in their respective states for RUGA settlement. This position was rejected by most states in Nigeria particularly the south eastern states. In response, the states provide themselves with security networks and local vigilante groups to defend their farmlands as well as their people against the unruly and unscrupulous attacks by the Fulani. This security networks and local vigilante groups are sometimes overpowered by Fulani militants who possess more sophisticated weapon than the security operatives. This paper submits that government of Nigeria should rise up to its responsibilities and make sure the incessant conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and farming communities are brought to a lasting end. They should be fully aware that 70 Fulani expansionist movement is a threat to the countries democracy, peaceful coexistence as well as socio-economic and political development. Fulani expansionist policy has brought about mutual hostility, animosity and distrust between the Fulanis and other tribes in Nigeria. However, it should be borne in mind that any country devoid of peace is also devoid of development. Hence, there is no way we can progress and develop in this country if we continue to have mutual hatred and distrust for one another.
