Effects of Land-Induced Homicide on Conflicting Communities in Anambra State

Homicide is a moral act which is considered a murder when it is deliberate and premeditated; and which is punishable as a crime. There are categories of homicide cases which may include politically and socially motivated assassinations, abduction-fordeath killings, and election-related killings, killing in the course of armed robbery; and death resulting from inter/intra-communal conflicts mostly on land/boundary disputes, among others. This study focused on the effects of land-induced homicide on conflicting communities in Anambra State. A population size of 530 adult respondents was selected for the study. The population size was selected through the process of categorising the communities of the study into six social sub-groups. Qualitative data was also derived from both relevant and enlightened individuals from the communities of the study and from families of victims of homicide that resulted from violent land dispute. The instrument for the quantitative data was the questionnaire schedule; while qualitative data were collected through the use of Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KII) with individuals of victims’ families who were identified through snowball sampling procedure. The quantitative data collected from the field were processed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Land is an economic asset which controls everything about the business of a person, a community, a State or a Nation. The economic interest and attachment man has on the land or on the resources from the land can easily drive man to blindly go out of himself, to do anything possible in order to recover his land in a situation where some other person had encroached on the land. The study showed that encroachment and lack of proper boundary demarcation are the most common factors that lead to land conflict among communitiesin Anambra State. Key Words: Assassination, Conflict, Development, Homicid

Model Formulation for Predicting Future Highway Armed Robbery Incidents in Nigeria

Insecurity is a topical issue in Nigeria today. Loss of lives and valuables on Nigerian roads induced by crime and criminalities is on the increase and worrisome. The main aim of this paper is to propose a model for predicting future Highway Armed Robbery incidents through the analysis of the current trends of Highway Armed Robbery incidents (HARIs) in Nigeria from 2009-2014. Statistical analysis was done using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 20. The analysis shows an increasing trend in HARIs in Nigeria. Furthermore, regression analysis was done and the eleven models available namely: Linear, Logarithmic, Inverse, Quadratic, Cubic, Compound, Power, S, Growth, Exponential, Logistic were estimated and the model with the highest R square value (R2) was selected as the best Curvefit for the data and thus used for the model of prediction. The model that has been proposed can be used for predicting future HARIs that may guide policy makers and Security Personnel. Keywords: Highway robbery, transportation, model formulation, Nigeria

Travel Without Fear: A Proposed Strategic Action Plan For Monitoring Road Transport Security in Nigeria

The alarming level of insecurity in Nigeria has fuelled the crime rate, which has made insecurity a topical issue in Nigeria today. Loss of lives and valuables on Nigerian roads induced by crime and criminalities is on the increase and worrisome. The robbery incidents which occurred between 2009-2014 where presented in a table and ranked alongside the highways where they occurred and the Lagos-Ore-Benin highway ranked first, meaning there has been more robbery incidents along that route than the others. The main aim of this paper is to propose a strategic action plan that will assist in monitoring security of road transport in Nigeria. The analysis of the current trend of Highway Armed Robbery incidents (HARIs) in Nigeria from 2009-2014 was done using the Microsoft excel statistical package which shows an increase in the trend of HARIs. The linear regression equation was used in predicting future incidents 2015-2030. The Future trend shows a continuous increase in HARIs in Nigeria if proactive measures are not put in place hence the proposal of the strategic action plan. The proposed strategic action plan will assist Policy makers and Security Personnel in taking proactive measures against Road Transport Insecurity in Nigeria. Keywords: Security, Highway robbery, Transportation, Strategic Action plan, Nigeria.

Formulating legal and policy frameworks for the protection of internally displaced persons in Nigeria: a case study of internal conflicts in Jos, plateau state

Displacement triggered by internal conflict is a common phenomenon in Nigeria. It is rampant without boundary and has impacted every part of the country. This study examines the occurrence of internal crises in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria which consist of ethno-religious and political conflicts as case study I and bomb related violence as case study II respectively in the structure of three stages namely, pre-displacement, displacement and post-displacement. This study aims to probe into how and why internal displacement occurred in the research area and examines international law such as refugee law, humanitarian law, human rights law and criminal law as well as Nigerian domestic laws such as constitutional law, land law and criminal law governing internal displacement. This study also involves comparative study of law and practice in two foreign powers, namely Sri Lanka and Uganda which face the same challenges as experienced by Nigeria to acquire some insights. Being a socio-legal research and evidently qualitative in nature and guided by the research objectives and questions, the study adopts case study strategy in probing the issues and the problems. Primary data were gathered through in-depth interview with internally displaced persons, public officials and legal experts, observations, and official documents. Secondary data were collected through journal articles, newspapers and internet sources. This study finds among others, that the contradictions in the Nigerian Constitution, its biasness and erroneous interpretations have been arbitrarily used to provoke ethnic animosity between the natives and the settlers in the research area in addition to a number of loopholes identified in the legal frameworks relating to internally displaced persons in Nigeria. This study proposes a reassessment made to the both of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution involving the rights of citizenship and entitlement as well as to the existing international and domestic law in addressing the internal displacement in Nigeria as a practical approach in looking for solutions of the problems faced. The government and other relevant stakeholders should consider these suggestions seriously so that the evolving legal and policy frameworks would be effective enough to address the issues and problems associated with the internal displacement in Nigeria

An Analysis of the Causes and Consequences of Kidnapping in Nigeria

Kidnapping is a serious crime and has potential for transforming into other felonious offenses, such as physical violence, financial victimisation, and murder. This paper did not focus only on the consequences of kidnapping but also examined its predisposing factors in Nigeria. Thus, the objectives of the study are: to examine the nexus between terrorism and kidnapping; to investigate the mutual reinforcement between corruption and kidnapping; to find out if kidnapping and poverty are correlated; and to examine the consequences of the problem. Using secondary qualitative data, the study found out that kidnapping has been taking place in Nigeria due to the activities of insurgent groups in the Niger Delta region, but it increased with the emergence of “Boko Haram” terrorism in the North-eastern Nigeria; corruption is not strongly related to kidnapping, but they have indirect connection whereby youth political thugs served corrupt political leaders and turned out to become kidnappers, sometimes for ransom from political opponents; poverty is correlated with kidnapping in Nigeria; and there are multiple consequences of kidnapping, such as financial victimization, rape and even death of the victims. The paper therefore suggested that for kidnapping to be eradicated in Nigeria, poverty and corruption must also be significantly reduced. The paper also suggested that terrorism and insurgency should be fought as they involved abductions of innocent people, females and children in particular; thus, for Nigeria to address the kidnapping phenomenon, strategic security action should be onslaught against terrorism and insurgency, etc.Key Words: Causes of Kidnapping, Kidnapping, Kidnapping in Nigeria, Abduction, Consequences of Kidnappin

Participatory Epidemiology of Endemic Diseases in West African Cattle – Ethnoveterinary and Bioveterinary Knowledge in Fulani Disease Control

Fulani pastoralists in Nigeria lack adequate access to good quality veterinary services and often resort to treating their animals themselves. There are several negative aspects to this, including poor treatment outcomes, misuse of veterinary drugs and subsequent resistance, and further barriers to good relations between pastoralists and veterinary services. A participatory epidemiology survey was undertaken in Fulani communities, to examine their ability to diagnose and treat bovine diseases. Qualitative participatory epidemiology techniques including semi-structured interviews, ranking and participant and non-participant observations were used for data collection. Quantitative analysis to match Fulani disease descriptions to veterinary diseases was done by hierarchical clustering and multi-dimensional scaling. A concurrent parasitological survey for soil-transmitted parasites, trypanosomiasis and tick-borne diseases was undertaken to validate results.Fulani pastoralists displayed high levels of ethnoveterinary knowledge and good clinical diagnostic abilities. Diseases considered important by pastoralists included: hanta (CBPP); sammore (trypanosomiasis); boro (foot and mouth disease), gortowel (liver fluke), dauda (parasitic gastro-enteritis with bloody diarrhoea) and susa (parasitic gastro-enteritis). The parasitology survey supported the participatory epidemiology results but also showed a high prevalence of tick-borne diseases that were not mentioned by pastoralists in this study. The use of “hanta” to describe CBPP is important as the accepted translation is liver-fluke (hanta is the Hausa word for liver). Gortowel and dauda, two previously undescribed Fulfulde disease names have now been matched to liver fluke and PGE with bloody diarrhoea. Fulani showed low levels of bovine veterinary knowledge with mostly incorrect veterinary drugs chosen for treatment. Levels of ethno- and bio-veterinary knowledge and their application within pastoralist livestock healthcare practices are discussed. Keywords: Fulani, Pastoralist, Cattle, Participatory epidemiology, Participatory diagnosis, Ethnoveterinary knowledg

Participatory Epidemiology of Endemic Diseases in West African Cattle – Ethnoveterinary and Bioveterinary Knowledge in Fulani Disease Control

Fulani pastoralists in Nigeria lack adequate access to good quality veterinary services and often resort to treating their animals themselves. There are several negative aspects to this, including poor treatment outcomes, misuse of veterinary drugs and subsequent resistance, and further barriers to good relations between pastoralists and veterinary services. A participatory epidemiology survey was undertaken in Fulani communities, to examine their ability to diagnose and treat bovine diseases. Qualitative participatory epidemiology techniques including semi-structured interviews, ranking and participant and non-participant observations were used for data collection. Quantitative analysis to match Fulani disease descriptions to veterinary diseases was done by hierarchical clustering and multi-dimensional scaling. A concurrent parasitological survey for soil-transmitted parasites, trypanosomiasis and tick-borne diseases was undertaken to validate results.Fulani pastoralists displayed high levels of ethnoveterinary knowledge and good clinical diagnostic abilities. Diseases considered important by pastoralists included: hanta (CBPP); sammore (trypanosomiasis); boro (foot and mouth disease), gortowel (liver fluke), dauda (parasitic gastro-enteritis with bloody diarrhoea) and susa (parasitic gastro-enteritis). The parasitology survey supported the participatory epidemiology results but also showed a high prevalence of tick-borne diseases that were not mentioned by pastoralists in this study. The use of “hanta” to describe CBPP is important as the accepted translation is liver-fluke (hanta is the Hausa word for liver). Gortowel and dauda, two previously undescribed Fulfulde disease names have now been matched to liver fluke and PGE with bloody diarrhoea. Fulani showed low levels of bovine veterinary knowledge with mostly incorrect veterinary drugs chosen for treatment. Levels of ethno- and bio-veterinary knowledge and their application within pastoralist livestock healthcare practices are discussed. Keywords: Fulani, Pastoralist, Cattle, Participatory epidemiology, Participatory diagnosis, Ethnoveterinary knowledg

Patterns of Passage into protected areas: drivers and outcomes of Fulani immigration, settlement and integration into the Kachia Grazing Reserve, Northwest Nigeria

Abstract Increasing land use and associated competition for natural resources in the wake of high human and livestock population pressures have been major challenges confronting pastoralists of West Africa. This is especially true in Nigeria where Fulani make up 4% of the national population and prevailing national insecurity issues are impacting on pastoral livelihoods, including violent conflicts over land and ethnic, religious and political disparities. This study examined the dynamics of immigration within the Kachia Grazing Reserve (KGR), an exclusively Fulani pastoralist community in Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria, prompted by concerns from both the farming communities and the authorities about mounting pressure on existing limited resources, particularly in regard to availability of cattle grazing resources. Drawing from a household census conducted in 2011 and employing a range of qualitative methods (focus group discussions and key informant interviews), this study explored the drivers and consequences of immigration and subsequent integration within the KGR community. The study revealed two types of immigration: a steady trickle of pastoralists migrating to the reserve to settle and acquire land, secure from the stresses of competition from cultivators, and the sudden influx of internally displaced persons fleeing violent clashes in their areas of origin. Population pressure within the reserve has risen steadily over the past three decades, such that it is severely overgrazed (as evidenced by reports from the KGR community that the animals run short of pasture even during the wet season due to desertification and the spread of non-edible weeds). The newer immigrants, fleeing conflict, tended to arrive in the reserve with significantly larger herds than those kept by established residents. Pastoralists in the reserve have been forced back into the practice of seasonal transhumance in both wet and dry seasons to support their herds, with all the attendant risks of theft, clashes with cultivators and increased disease transmission

Interfaith Education and the Quest for Peacebuilding in Northern Nigeria

INTERFAITH EDUCATION AND THE QUEST FOR PEACEBUILDING IN NORTHERN NIGERIA Over the past thirty years, relationships between ethnic and religious groups in the northern regions of Nigeria have deteriorated. Conflict occurs on an almost daily basis between Christians and Muslims. Most Nigerians consider themselves very religious which often leads followers of the major religions to fight to protect the teachings of their faith. The high level of illiteracy and lack of interreligious understanding between the faith groups contributes to the propensity for violent clashes in the region. The literature review discusses the concept of religious education, interfaith dialogue and interfaith education as models for peacebuilding in various contexts around the world. This study examined an interfaith education (IFE) pilot program as an approach for peacebuilding in two parts of Kaduna City, one predominantly Christian and the other predominantly Muslim. The study used a qualitative research method to collect data, analyze and interpret the perceptions and experiences of students, religious education teachers and parents with the IFE pilot project, which was introduced in their schools and communities. The study also investigated how students embraced the IFE curriculum in schools and the reactions of youth to interfaith activities in the community, like visiting places of worship of the other religious group. In addition, the study collected information on the perceptions of religious leaders and parents about IFE programs. Part of the research methodology involved asking students in small focus groups to draw an ideal community or a picture of their homes or a place of worship before conflict. Then the students were asked to turn the paper over and draw something they had witnessed during interreligious conflict in their communities. Most students either sketched their homes on fire or destroyed. Some portrayed perpetrators of the violence as standing with a weapon or even stabbing someone. The sketches were then used to stimulate discussion about interreligious conflict and its causes. A majority of the participants indicated their support of IFE curriculum in schools and Community Peace Action Networks in the communities. The participants highlighted several problems that they felt contributed to the conflicts. The use of the term “arni” or infidel was cited as often triggering violence because it is such a derogatory term. Other participants pointed to poorly educated, untrained and unsupervised religious leaders who incite their followers. Participants also suggested that the IFE curriculum be used outside of schools in order to reach the many out-of-school youth who are involved in interfaith violence. The research recommended that education, regulating religious preachers, promoting reconciliation efforts, good leadership and a nationwide campaign on interfaith dialogue would contribute to peacebuilding in northern Nigeria

Marketing to enhance the use of information resources and quality of services in medical libraries of public universities in North-West Nigeria.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Abstract available in PDF