A series of brutal attacks across Nigeria has underscored the escalating nature of the long-running conflicts between herders and farmers, resulting in hundreds of deaths and widespread displacement in the past year. The violence, concentrated in the country's Middle Belt region, is fueled by a volatile mix of climate change, resource scarcity, and deep-seated socio-economic tensions.
Recent incidents highlight the conflict's deadly toll. In June 2025, a massacre in Yelwata, Benue State, left approximately 100 people dead, with survivors describing scenes of charred bodies and shattered lives. This follows a devastating attack in December 2023, when suspected herders assaulted 17 communities in Plateau State, killing at least 140 people and burning down most of the houses in the area. The violence has continued, with a reported attack in September 2025 on Oke-Ode in Kwara State, where unidentified gunmen killed at least 12 forest guards.
At its core, the conflict revolves around competition for land and water. For generations, nomadic Fulani herders have moved their cattle across the country. However, environmental pressures such as desertification and drought in northern Nigeria, exacerbated by climate change, have forced them to push further south in search of pasture and water for their herds.
This southward migration has led to increased friction with settled farming communities. Clashes frequently erupt over cattle grazing on croplands, a vital source of livelihood for farmers. The disputes, once managed through traditional mediation, have become increasingly violent, driven by population growth that has intensified pressure on limited resources.
While the conflict often carries religious undertones, pitting mostly-Muslim Fulani herders against predominantly-Christian farmers, experts caution against viewing it through a purely sectarian lens. Some analysts argue that the violence is not exclusively directed at one faith group and that the term "farmer-herder conflict" itself may oversimplify complex realities involving ethnic identities and broader socio-economic disputes.
The ripple effects of the violence are severe. Beyond the staggering loss of life, the conflict has a devastating impact on Nigeria's food security. Research shows that attacks disrupt agricultural activities, leading to lower crop yields and reduced income for rural households, thereby increasing food insecurity in an already vulnerable region. Thousands have been displaced from their homes, losing their livelihoods and becoming dependent on humanitarian aid.
Despite the scale of the crisis, the Nigerian government's response has been widely criticized as inadequate. According to a report from the Institute of Development Studies, a perceived lethargy in addressing the root causes has allowed a culture of impunity to flourish, contributing to the spread of violence across many parts of the country.
As the conflict continues to evolve, experts stress the need for comprehensive policies that address the underlying drivers. Studies suggest that integrating herders into farming communities and promoting peaceful coexistence through equitable resource management are crucial steps. Without a concerted effort to tackle climate change, resolve land-use disputes, and hold perpetrators accountable, Nigeria's deadly herder-farmer crisis is likely to remain a significant threat to national stability.