CATHOLIC CHURCH DIPLOMACY: THE CHALLENGE OF FULANI HERDSMEN TERRORISM IN CENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an upsurge of Fulani Herdsmen attack on the Christian population of central Nigeria, who are predominantly Catholics of the Roman Catholic persuasion. These attacks have resulted to the decimation of lives and property on a large scale. From Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba and Benue state, the Fulani herdsmen, employing the tactics of other terrorist groups like Alshaabab, Boko-haram and the Taliban, have succeeded in wiping out population and destroying economic of rural population. This paper, explores this rising phenomenon on herdsmen terrorism and the fears that it creates in the minds of Christian population who views these attacks as systematic plans to Islamize the central Nigerian people. The paper also calls upon the Catholic Church through the Papacy to adopt diplomatic measures to curb militants Islamic expansionism in central Nigeria similar to the Islamic militant (ISIS) in the west. Using primary and secondary sources this paper looks at the conflict as well as the way forward.