The Effects of Farmers-Herders Conflict on Inter-Communal Relations in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

Inter-communal relations are important aspect of inter-communal living because they build trust and foster cooperation, leading to development in the society. It is, however, unfortunate that relations are always affected in the event of any conflict. Recent developments in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) have shown a spiral decline in inter-communal relations with an attendant increase in the spate of conflict between farmers and herders. The preponderance of the latter developments has led to some gruesome and devastating effects on lives and property of the belligerent parties. This paper, therefore, examines the effects of this conflict, at this point, not only on lives and property, but also on the relationship between the conflicting parties. Four critical spheres of inter-communal relations – inter-marriage, inter-communal trade, mix settlements and joint celebration of festivities, were examined and the study found that inter-communal marriage and festivities hithertho in practice between these communities have stopped. The study also revealed that some trade practices that used to take place at the interior quarters of the community no longer exist and this has resulted into a more segregated form of settlement in the locality. This paper, therefore, concludes that a genuine desire for peace in the community will require a concerted effort at restoring inter-communal relations in spite of the loss suffered in the course of the conflict, as this could build trust and restore peace in the community