REFRAMING NIGERIA’S VIOLENT SECURITY CRISIS: STRATEGIC POLICY PATHWAYS FOR DE-ESCALATING ETHNIC TENSIONS AND ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE NATIONAL PEACE

By Sylvester Udemezue

The persistent crisis and widespread violence in many parts of Nigeria continue to reveal a central underlying issue: the unresolved question of cattle management and the long-standing tensions surrounding pastoral mobility, land use, and agricultural livelihoods. At its core, the conflict is not merely about livestock; it is about identity, survival, security, and the inadequacy of modern state structures to accommodate traditional pastoral systems within a rapidly changing socio-economic landscape.

A significant number of pastoralist communities, particularly Fulani herders, remain outside the framework of Nigeria’s evolving ranching and sedentary livestock-management systems. In seeking grazing spaces they consider viable, they frequently traverse established farmlands and communities. Over the years, this movement has created flashpoints of friction, sometimes manipulated by violent non-state actors who operate under the guise of herding. Credible reports indicate that certain extremist groups, including ISWAP, Boko Haram, and various armed bandit formations, have exploited this tension to entrench themselves in rural territories, escalate violence, and undermine national security. They capitalize on land-use disputes, porous borders, and weak policing systems to further destabilize the country and pursue broader territorial ambitions.

Regardless of the narratives used to rationalize these actions, the incontrovertible reality is that Nigeria must simultaneously address (1) the legitimate socio-economic concerns of pastoralist groups and (2) the criminality and insurgency that have infiltrated the sector. Sustainable peace requires a nuanced appreciation of the actors involved, without conflating law-abiding pastoralists with violent elements exploiting the situation.

To de-escalate the crisis, Nigeria must adopt a pragmatic and holistic approach: one that engages pastoralist communities, farming populations, security institutions, and political leaders in constructive dialogue. Strengthened border governance, modernized livestock-management systems, and scientifically informed land-use policies are pivotal. Equally critical is the need to build trust through inclusive decision-making and transparent conflict-resolution mechanisms.

In 2018, a controversial comment by then Presidential spokesperson Femi Adesina suggested that communities might need to make concessions to avoid attacks from armed herders. Although widely criticized, the remark inadvertently underscored the gravity of the threat and the urgency of adopting strategic, long-term solutions rather than reactive measures. Therefore, any meaningful national strategy must be anchored on wisdom, empirical evidence, and a recognition that the pastoralist–farmer conflict is not transient. It is systemic. It is evolving. And without deliberate intervention, it will continue to endanger national cohesion and economic stability.

It is against this backdrop that I have consistently advanced proposals for innovative solutions to the crisis. My recent publications articulate the need for structured, well-regulated settlement frameworks (such as specially designated pastoral development zones or “special states”) as an alternative to the unregulated, conflict-prone migratory model.

Below are the articles in which these recommendations are elaborated:

1. “An Open Letter of National Emergency: A Call for the Creation of Special States for Fulani Herdsmen.” By Sylvester Udemezue. 02 June 2025. https://barristerng.com/an-open-letter-of-national-emergency-a-call-for-the-creation-of-special-states-for-fulani-herdsmen/
2. “Part 2: Proposing Peace, Not Privilege—A Coordinated Reply to Critics of the Proposed Special States for Fulani Pastoralists in Nigeria.” By Sylvester Udemezue. 11 August 2025. https://loyalnigerianlawyer.com/part-2-proposing-peace-not-privilege-a-coordinated-reply-to-critics
3. “Part 3: Why Nigeria Needs to Create Special States for Fulani Herdsmen—Doing Things Differently to Achieve Different, Better Results.” By Sylvester Udemezue. 09 June 2025. https://barristerng.com/part-3-why-nigeria-needs-to-create-special-states-for-fulani-herdsmen-doing-things-differently-to-achieve-different-better-results/

These interventions are not about privilege or appeasement; they are about peace, planning, and national survival. Nigeria must evolve new models capable of accommodating both modern agricultural demands and traditional pastoral livelihoods. Without bold, innovative, and evidence-based policy choices, the cycle of violence will persist, and the nation will continue to bear the cost.

• Sylvester Udemezue (Udems) is a Law Teacher and Proctor of The Reality Ministry of Truth Law and Justice (TRM). He can be reached at udems@therealityministry.ngo.
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