Al-Hikmah University Journal

Since the restoration of civil rule in 1999, Nigeria has experienced a number of security issues, including Boko Haram insurgency, resource control agitation, and communal rioting. Numerous lives and properties have been lost as a result of these security issues. The Fulani herdsmen's attacks have become more dangerous in recent years due to their acquisition of sophisticated weaponry and communication technology. Most farmers have suffered because of Fulani herdsmen killings, robberies, rapes, and kidnappings, which has led to serious security challenges. Thus, the main goal of this paper is to analyze the threat posed by Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria and determine how it affects both socioeconomic development and national security. Conflicts between farmers and herders has posed substantial challenges to the educational system. Consequently, numerous villages and local governments have been compelled to shut down schools and colleges for extended periods. When clashes between farmers and herders transpire, essential infrastructure within schools, including classroom buildings, offices, books, and pertinent documents, often suffer extensive destruction or damage. In rural areas, schools are frequently subjected to arson, rendering it difficult for students to sustain their learning activities for prolonged periods as they relocate to safer areas with their families. The paper reveals that the Fulani herdsmen's attack destroys lives and property, undermines food security, and causes a significant increase in unemployment. The government should support affluent cattle owners in establishing cattle ranches across the nation, where the animals receive the proper care, as this paper suggests. For the security personnel and the host communities to be able to monitor the activities of Fulani herdsmen, registration is mandatory for those working in any local government.