Recurrent clashes between cattle herders and farmers has emerged as a key conflict risk and security issue in Delta state. Over the years, the conflict has evolved from spontaneous clashes over access to land for farming and grazing to planned attacks by both farmers and herders.
The nature of clashes have also changed significantly over the years. Farmer-herder clashes are becoming increasingly intertwined with criminality including sexual violence and kidnapping. According to data (see map below), the farmer-herder conflict caused over 100 fatalities in Delta state between 2017 and 2019. Recently, communal tensions escalated after a series of violent clashes between herders and farmers resulted in several fatalities in the state. On February 14, 2020, about 10 farmers were reportedly killed during attacks by suspected herders in some com-munities in Ughelli North LGA. Following the incident, community leaders reportedly banned the sale and consumption of beef in the area. The situation also resulted in renewed demands for the establishment of community vigilante groups in the state.
[tnc-pdf-viewer-iframe file=”https://pindfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Niger-Delta-Weekly-Conflict-Update-February-23-29-2020.pdf” width=”800″ height=”900″ download=”true” print=”true” fullscreen=”true” share=”true” zoom=”true” open=”true” pagenav=”true” logo=”true” find=”true” language=”en-US” page=”” default_zoom=”auto”]
[wp_mb_plugin_download instance=”1″ password=”” buttonname=”Download” name=”Niger Delta Weekly Conflict Update Feb. 23-29, 2020″ datetime=”February 28, 2020 – 8:34 am” other=”v.1.7 (PIND)” atagseo=”tag”]https://pindfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Niger-Delta-Weekly-Conflict-Update-February-23-29-2020.pdf[/wp_mb_plugin_download]
