EFFECT OF BANDITRY ON FARMING SYSTEM IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF GUMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE.

ABSTRACT This study provides an in-depth analysis of the violent conflicts between Banditry and sedentary Tiv farmers in Guma Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, Nigeria, with a focus on understanding the root causes and socio-economic impacts of the conflicts. The research aimed to examine the underlying drivers of the violence, assess its effects on income levels, educational outcomes, employment, and the security of lives and property, and explore effective strategies for conflict resolution and mitigation. A survey research design employing quantitative methods was adopted, utilizing structured questionnaires administered to a stratified sample of 200 respondents drawn from the most conflict-affected communities Daudu, Gbajimba, Tse-Aondongu, and Udei. Findings revealed that the destruction of crops by cattle emerged as the most significant trigger of violence, followed by inadequate government regulation, ineffective conflict resolution mechanisms, and intense competition over land and water resources. Ethnic and cultural differences were acknowledged but perceived as secondary factors. Economically, the conflicts have led to drastic declines in agricultural productivity, loss of access to farmlands, and widespread disruption of local markets and trade, all of which severely undermined household incomes. The study’s findings are consistent with and extend existing empirical literature on the farmer-herder conflict dynamics in Nigeria, confirming that the crisis in Guma LGA mirrors broader patterns of insecurity, underdevelopment, and governance failures identified in similar contexts. The research highlights that the conflict’s impacts are multidimensional, with interlinked consequences for economic wellbeing, educational attainment, and community stability. Based on these insights, the study recommends strengthening land use policies, establishing inclusive peace committees, improving security presence, providing livelihood support for affected populations, rebuilding educational infrastructure, and implementing comprehensive awareness campaigns to counter hate narratives and promote peaceful coexistence. Additionally, it advocates for regional cooperation with ECOWAS to regulate transhumance movements in ways that respect national laws and protect local communities. By offering localized, quantitative evidence on the socioeconomic ramifications of the farmer-herder conflicts in Guma LGA, this study contributes critical knowledge that can inform targeted policy interventions, community-based peacebuilding efforts, and future academic research on conflict management and rural development in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.