Escalating Farmer-Herder Conflict in Nigeria's Middle Belt Amid Banditry and Resource Scarcity

The farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria's Middle Belt is intensifying due to resource scarcity, ethnic tensions, and the presence of bandit groups. These conflicts, particularly in Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Kaduna states, have escalated since 2001, leading to organized retaliatory violence during the planting season from May to October.

Herders, primarily Fulani Muslims, leverage their mobility for attacks, while farmers form self-defense militias. Bandits engage in mass kidnappings and cattle rustling, creating a complex security landscape where the Nigerian military's presence is limited.

The overlapping violence is exacerbated by environmental factors and weak governance, with communities competing for dwindling arable land. International intervention options range from punitive measures to stabilization efforts, but past recommendations for sustainable practices have been rejected by local leaders. The situation is compounded by external influences, including Chinese investments in agriculture, amidst a backdrop of great power competition in West Africa.