Entrepreneurship Development and the Socio – economic Implications of Herdsmen Attacks in Benue State, Nigeria
Abstract
Herdsmen attacks in Benue State where the people are predominantly farmers/artisans have serious social and economic implications for entrepreneurship development of the state. Between 2013 and 2018, the state recorded 53 violent herdsmen attacks. Fifteen of the 23 local government areas in the state were affected: 2,438 people were killed, 750 were seriously injured, with 200 people still missing, 99,427 households were displaced in the attacks. Property worth 400 billion Naira and crops worth 25billion Naira were destroyed. This study critically examined these implications using Google chrome and Google scholar to access internet data on herdsmen attacks in Benue State. In – depth interviews were also carried out with victims of the attacks, as well as government officials, and some security officials. The technique of data analysis was content analysis. The study found out that (1) the reasons for the herdsmen attacks includes: disagreement over the use of land and water, terrorist activities of Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria, harsh climatic conditions among others. (2) The magnitude of herdsmen attacks in Benue State is very high: (3) The consequences of the herdsmen attacks include: food insecurity, impending civil war, and imminent disintegration of Nigeria; (4) The socio – economic challenges of entrepreneurship development in Benue State include: shortage of raw materials, loss of long term savings for start – ups and expansion of business ventures, and others. The study concludes that restructuring of Nigeria’s federation in line with the citizens’ the political, social and economic interests is a must.
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