Violent herder–farmer conflicts and human security in Nigeria: a focus on food security

This study assessed the impact of herder–farmer violent conflicts on human security in Nigeria, with a focus on food security. Guided by ex post facto design and nonpurposive theoretical sampling procedure, data were collected from media sources and analysed using the content analysis method. The conflicts have threatened human security indicators, particularly food security. Land for farming and grazing is scarce, resulting in frustrations and aggressive responses, such as water pollution, human displacement, and destruction of lives, farmland, crops and cattle, which have increased food insecurity. All levels of government should organise regular town hall meetings with significant others in vulnerable communities to scale up awareness campaigns on harm reduction and public safety initiatives. The approach is inclusive and need-based because it focuses on grassroots-people-oriented mobilisation to increase advocacy on food security. Herder migration could be reduced by establishing modern and sustainable irrigation systems and cultivating improved pastures for grazing.