Assessing the Effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force in Managing Farmer–Herder Conflict in North-Central Nigeria: Evidence from Conflict-Affected Communities
Keywords:
Nigeria Police Force, conflict management, policing, community policingAbstract
Farmer–herder conflict remains a major security and development challenge in North-Central Nigeria, with consequences for lives, livelihoods, food security and community stability. This study examined the effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in managing farmer–herder conflict, focusing on institutional capacity, conflict-management strategies, intervention outcomes, and operational constraints. The study adopted a descriptive research design and a mixed-methods approach. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews with police personnel, farmers, herders and community representatives. Quantitative data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, mean scores and standard deviations, while interview responses were subjected to thematic analysis. The findings show that the NPF employs preventive and responsive strategies, including patrols, intelligence gathering, rapid response, arrests and community engagement. Police interventions help contain violence and protect lives and property. However, their effectiveness is constrained by inadequate personnel, insufficient funding and logistics, difficult terrain and limited accessibility, community distrust and perceived police bias, and weak inter-agency coordination. The study further finds that immediate containment does not necessarily prevent recurrence, highlighting the importance of sustained engagement, community confidence and preventive intervention. The study concludes that effective management of farmer–herder conflict requires a shift from predominantly reactive policing towards a more preventive, intelligence-led and community-oriented approach. It recommends strengthening personnel and logistics, improving police–community relations and impartiality, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and addressing underlying conflict drivers through broader institutional and community-based interventions.
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