A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ACTIVITIES OF FULANI HERDSMEN AND ITS IMPLICATION ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT: The main focus of this study is to examine the activities of fulani herdsmen and its implication on community development using Etsako Local Government Area in Edo State as case study. Survey research design was employed, Using convenience sampling method the research conveniently selected 256 participants who are residents of Etsako LGA. Well structured Questionnaire in Likert scale was issued and out of 256 copies  225 copies were returned and validated for the study. Data was analyzed using frequency and tables. Findings from the study revealed that fulani herdsmen actitvities  in communities has hindered community development and masterminded the increase in rural-urban migration, disruption of social and economic activities. Other impact includes pause in social economic activities, most construction companies has left their site,leaving some community development project abandoned and on the advert, foreign direct investment,trade and infrastructure have been impacted. Rural communities have loss of man power caused by killings of indigenes, more so school children are no longer attending to educational activities, no more economic activities and hence impoverishing the rural dwellers and impeding community development. The study therefore recommends that Government should come up with credible and implementable policies to curb the incessant attacks on rural dwellers and improve their livelihood.