NON-VULNERABLE AGAINST THE VULNERABLE: A SOCIO-CRIMINOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF HERDSMEN ATTACK ON VULNERABLE POPULATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The paper explored the sporadic victimization of the vulnerable population by herdsmen. The study acknowledges that herdsmen attack on communities has become so alarming. Nigeria has witnessed unprecedented incidence of herdsmen attacks on people of different ethnic nationalities. The activities of the non-vulnerable group is always targeted at the vulnerable population such as children, women, the aged and the sick, with the sole aim of destruction of lives, properties and carting away of valuables. Government effort at addressing the problem is still blur as no frantic effort has been adopted to provide a lasting solution to the problem. The areas that has been severely victimized by the herdsmen are north-central states of Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa. The activities of herdsmen has created social dislocation, indelible hatred and forgiveness among population, erosion of the repository of traditional knowledge and declination of the working population. We recommended amongst others that the fight against corruption should begin with the security agencies such as the police, Department of State Security, Immigration and Customs. Government through appropriate agencies should probe the source of the sophisticated weapons at the disposal of herdsmen. Government should ensure that adequate security is provided for the vulnerable populations that are in dire need of security. Finally, community leaders in partnership with state government should commission neighbourhood watch group that will assist in providing security for the vulnerable population.