Hermeneutics of Fulanization and the Worisome Spate of Genocidal Killings in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria is ethno- religious with linguistically and religiously diverse states comprising over 250 ethnic groups and multiple faith traditions with Islam and Christianity constituting the dominant religious affiliations. The worrisome spate of killings of innocent and armless Nigerians nation wide by notorious Fulani herders emanating from violent attacks associated with armed banditry, kidnapping for ransom, indiscriminate killings, destruction of farmlands and crops, burning of houses and villages, land grabbing and occupation and highway armed robbery, have sparked concerns in several quarters in Nigeria, thereby declaring the menace as one that requires urgent attention. Consequently, this has made the international community like the United States of America to tag Nigeria as a country of particular security concern. The objective of the study is to critically interpret and synthesize existing literature and narratives on “Fulanization” and alleged genocidal killings in Nigeria. It adopted a multi-based supporting framework, which include identity politics and ethnonationalism, political violence and genocidal studies, state failure versus state complicity frameworks and post-colonial and critical security studies. The method of inquiry of this research is hermeneutical. Findings reveal that the varied manifestations of violence in Nigeria from farmer-herder clashes and resource conflicts to religious insurgency and separatist agitations are not isolated phenomena but symptoms of profound interlocking failures. The paper concluded that sustainable peace is achievable not just by defeating one-armed group or resolving a simple dispute, but through an integrated approach that can strategically address the root causes of polycrisis.