Author:
Onum Friday Okoh, Angelina Okewu Ogwuche, Agama Omachi

Doi: 10.26480/ccsj.01.2025.11.16

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

The persistent conflict between nomadic herders and local farming communities in Benue State, Nigeria, has resulted in widespread violence, displacement, and loss of lives. This study investigates the Nigerian government’s failure to protect its citizens from such aggression and examines how this perceived inaction has contributed to a growing sentiment of tacit approval for self-defense among affected populations. The study employed an ex-post facto research design, involving the collection and analysis of existing data such as government security reports, conflict incident records, and statistics on community security initiatives from 2015 to 2024. Quantitative data were presented and analyzed using simple descriptive statistics such as table, percentages and charts. Findings indicate a significant rise in violent incidents during periods of limited state intervention, with over 70% of affected communities adopting self-defense measures. Statistical analysis reveals a strong correlation between government inaction and the proliferation of autonomous security responses. The study concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for effective governmental intervention, improved security strategies, and sustainable conflict resolution mechanisms in Benue State.