This article examines President Muhammadu Buhari's role in the long-running conflict between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria. Having attained the rank of fourth-deadliest terrorist group in the world, the attacks of Fulani herdsmen on Nigerian farmers and vice versa are gaining international coverage, but commanding too little internal investigation. Using qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches, this article reveals that the conflict between the farmers and Fulani herdsmen is multifaceted. This article debunks factors such as ethnic ties and overt regional favouritism on President Buhari's approach to the conflict. The research findings also implicate security agencies as drivers of the conflict by aiding the Fulani herdsmen with acquisition of arms, and withholding information useful for addressing the conflict. Endemic corruption, political incompetence and political misdemeanour are shown to be key factors exacerbating the conflict between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.
Central European Journal of International and Security Studies