| Abstract: |
The issue of Herdsmen- Farmers’ crisis has become worrisome in Nigeria. This issue has continued to occupy front burners of national issues and media spaces for years now, generating subjects for discussions at different fora. This study examined how strategic communications and responsive governance is instrumental to curbing the recurring herdsmen-farmers crisis in Nigeria. The study was anchored on twin theories of Social Responsibility and Conflict Resolution. Using analytic approach, the study found that the major causes of Herdsmen-Farmers’ crisis in Nigeria include destruction of crops and contamination of streams by herders’ cattles, inadequate grazing of land, disregard for local traditional authorities, female harassments by herders, harassment of nomads by host communities youths, indiscriminate bush burning by herders, defecation of cattle on roads, cattle theft by cattle rustlers, and straying of cattles. The study recommends that in reporting a serious national security issues such as herdsmen-farmers’ crisis, professionalism, high level of ethical standard and discipline on the part of the media are sine qua non; they must be used to douse and defuse tensions in the land. Images of damages and destructions of lives must not take prominence to forestall escalations. Also, both the states and Federal Governments must learn to be more responsive and proactive in tackling herdsmen-farmers crisis. |
