THE ORIGIN, EFFECTS AND RESPONSE OF THE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA TO THE MENACE OF THE HERDSMEN PHENOMENON
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Date
2026
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Publisher
The International Journal of African Catholicism
Abstract
The activities of herdsmen have turned into serious challenges in Nigeria, particularly in the North Central part of the country. This has created an atmosphere of worry as hardly a day would end without reports of brutal attacks on people and communities. At the outset, it was thought to be a misunderstanding between farmers and herdsmen, but recent studies point to another dimension, with attacks being carried out against communities and churches. These attacks, without doubt, are having adverse effects on security networks and on the religious activities of people, including hindrance of national development. This study aims at examining the origin, impacts of Fulani herdsmen and the response of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to the menace of herdsmen activities. The objectivities of the study are to highlight the activities of the herdsmen and suggest ways through which the menace could be resolved to enhance national development and human wellbeing. The methods adopted in this study include survey, historical and empirical analyses. The findings of the study show that some of the activities of the herdsmen are dangerous, leading to loss of lives and properties. Riding on these dangerous activities, farmlands and places of worship have been affected. In the face of this, CAN leadership has not been able to speak collectively. Only few voices have been heard both at national and international levels. The study concludes that herdsmen battle with the issue of identity and misplaced human values. Ways through which the challenges could be resolved are suggested for national peace and development.
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Keywords
Christian Association of Nigeria, Herdsmen, Menace, Response