SUSPENSION OF RURAL GRAZING AREA SETTLEMENT POLICY AND THREAT OF EVICTION BY NORTHERN COALITION ON WHIMPERING SOUTHERNERS IN NIGERIA “MUHAMMADU BUHARI’S DEMOCRATIC DISPENSATION”

Abstract

The study is to examine the consequences of suspension of rural grazing area settlement plan of the federal government and threat of eviction by the northern coalition on whimpering southerners in Nigeria. This is because the persistent plague of brutal violence between nomadic Fulani herders and sedentary farmers over cattle grazing increased drastically and has become a national security threat despite the inability of the federal government to implement the already existing National Livestock Transformation plan aimed at a unanimous decision to adopt cattle ranching as the best method of livestock breeding for the nation. It is from the foregoing that the objectives of this study were drawn. Specifically, the study will investigate, ascertain, find out and examine the extent to which suspension of rural grazing area settlement plan and threat of eviction by northern coalition will reduce leadership irregularity, reduce kidnapping, reduce killings and reduce palpable fear of insecurity on whimpering southerners in Nigeria. Secondary sources of data were employed largely from journals, textbooks, newspapers, web pages and government documents among others. The group threat theory was adopted as the theoretical umbrella for this discourse. The findings show that, there was leadership inconsistency. Kidnapping was on the increase. Killings of innocent citizens persisted and palpable fear of insecurity was intensified. The study recommends for socialdialogue, cow herders should be disarmed or sedentary farmers’ armed in order to stop killing and kidnapping and equal opportunity should be given to the entire groups to develop.