Philosophical Consideration of Herdsmen Menace and Hunger in Contemporary Nigeria
The rising uncontrolled menace of herdsmen’s raid in recent times is increasingly alarming and unimaginable. This study philosophically examines the menace of herdsmen’s raid, as the cause of untold hunger, and interrogates the government’s inaction against this terrorism, which it rather projects, formalises and tries to impose the ‘cattle colony’ ideology on all states. Critical thinking makes it obvious that the wanton killing of citizens of various Nigerian ethnic groups by Fulani herdsmen on farms and at homes and all populated public places cannot be considered a mere conflict between herdsmen and farmers. It is rather the rise of an institutionalised ‘pogrom terrorism’ that heightens the insecurity in contemporary Nigeria. The blunt refusal, by in/action or failure of the federal government to quell this rising devastating terrorism with its menace is a clear evidence of national injustice against other ethnic groups by Fulani elites, politicians and their allies in the realms of power and national affairs. The study reveals that besides hunger, the menace of herdsmen’s raid also includes ethnic cleansing, insecurity, high death rate, vandalism, sustained ethno-religious crises, ethnic hate and sour intergroup relations, disruption of socio-economic, educational and political activities, environmental degradation, soil leach, and heightening of political instability and underdevelopment. It blames the government for this terrorism, which it considers an institutionalised pogrom, used as an ethno-religious political mechanism and conquest. It calls for collective actions against herdsmen’s raid.
Philosophical Consideration, Herdsmen, Menace, Hunger, Pogrom
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Ifatimehin, O. O. (2008). An assessment of water resource conflict management in the semi-aridregion of Nigeria. Unpublished postgraduate seminar series presentation, Department of Geography and environmental management, University of Abuja.
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Okoro, A. E. (2006). Critical thinking: A bedrock in university education. Journal of Nigerian Languages and Culture, vol. 8, November: ISSN 1595-4730.
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Nwokereke, E. (2005). ‘What is philosophy?’ In Okoro, C. M. and Ideyi, N. (eds.) Introduction tophilosophy & logic (A general studies series). Abakaliki: General Studies Division, EBSU.
