Assessing the Effects of Indigene Resettlement Policies on Perceived Community Security in Abuja FCT: A Quantitative Study
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Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sapientia Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Development Studies (SGOJAHDS)
Abstract
This paper examines the political economy of insecurity in Benue State, Nigeria, between 2020
and 2025, adopting political economy and human security frameworks. The study investigates
the structural drivers of violence, including land disputes, weak governance, climate-induced
migration, and ethnic tensions, which together fuel recurrent farmer–herder conflicts. Using a
qualitative design, through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and secondary
sources such as government reports and newspapers, the study investigate the political and
economic drivers of insecurity in Benue State, examine the manifestations and dynamics of
insecurity in the region, assess the impact of insecurity on sustainable development in Benue
State, and evaluate the effectiveness of state and non-state responses to insecurity. Findings
reveal that insecurity in Benue is systemic rather than episodic, with manifestations ranging
from mass killings and displacement to the collapse of agricultural productivity. Over 500,000
persons were displaced during the period, while food production and rural livelihoods declined
sharply, undermining the state’s role as Nigeria’s “Food Basket.” Although state policies,
such as the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law (2017), and security
deployments have been implemented, responses remain largely reactive and insufficient. Nonstate interventions provide localized relief but often fail to address underlying structural issues.
The paper concludes that sustainable peace in Benue requires institutional reforms, equitable
land governance, inclusive dialogue, and integrated development strategies.