Challenges Of Security Intervention in Combating Armed Conflict in Benue State -Nigeria

Abstract Security is a foundational concept of the sovereign state. Most understandings of security are yet to question security, but just sought to explore how a state provides protection. Even though the invocation of security gives an issue the air precision, distinguishing it from other issues, it remains without further specifications an ambiguous term. Benue State has a history of armed conflict that includes herder-farmer-clashes, military operations, militia and other violent incidents. The height of the armed conflict in Benue State is recognizably the Fulani herdsmen and farmers violent engagement. Historically, the dispute between the Fulani Herdsmen and indigenous farmers of Benue is said to have started in the early 1800s. In Nigeria, Benue State is awarded the tag “Food Basket of the Nation” because of her people natural inclination to extensive crops farming that brings out largest quantity of food production for distribution and feeding of that the entire population in the country. The violent conflict between herders and famers which has become a symbolic security threatin Benue State and Nigeria has been recognized and reported to have dynamic causes that are associated with political, economic, agricultural, and territorial expansion motives. The study is anchored on resource course Theory and Resource course theory to explain the security challenges of managing farmers-herdsmen conflict in Benue State The paper used both primary data collected from the field and secondary data .The research therefore recommend that Conflict management committees set up by government should collaborate with farmers’ and herdsmen’s unions and associations in creating comprehensive awareness and compliance with designated stock routes. The collaborations should be at State, Zonal, Local Governments, and Village/Community levels through jointly established committees. Traditional and local leaders should ask for support to established grazing and farming practices, rules and regulations while governmental agencies/ministries responsible for agriculture, lands, geographical information systems, forestry and natural resources should ensure proper delineation and regular revision of stock routes.There is need for viable NGOs on farmer-herdsmen conflict management, especially in the areas of awareness, education, prevention, and amelioration. Furthermore, nongovernmental organizations should support livestock-centered livelihoods including cattle herding, not only in conflict mitigation but also in the support of grassroots innovations and in influencing favorable national policies. Keywords: Security threat, challenges, armed conflict, dynamic, security agency, establish committee