THE CHALLENGES OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA: AN APPROACH TO PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Abstract

Benue State has witnessed various forms of attacks from the herdsmen on different occasions which have caused farmers and their family members to leave their communities thereby settling in Internally Displaced Persons’ camps at different parts of the State. These farmers left their farm lands, their houses, and other belongings to the camps for safety. The main objective of the paper is to examine the various ways on how to find lasting peace by way of resolving the conflict between the farmers and the herdsmen in Benue State. The paper made use of both primary and secondary sources of data collection. Through the primary data, internally displaced persons where interviewed at the Makurdi camp. The findings of the research revealed that, the herders who attacked the farmers are not from Benue State. It was also revealed that the farmers can only go back to their communities when the issues are resolved since it affects the security of their lives and property. The herders took over the farm lands thereby making it difficult for the farmers to return to their communities. This research therefore, recommends that the government of Benue State and the Federal government should jointly work together on the issues affecting both the herders and farmers in order to find peace and to resolve the said conflict for lasting peace.